Optic Nerve Subarachnoid Space Posture Dependency - An MRI Study in Subjects With Normal Tension Glaucoma and Healthy Controls.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of optic nerve subarachnoid space (ONSAS) volume in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and healthy controls in different body positions.

Methods: Eight patients with NTG and seven healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in head up tilt (HUT) +11 degrees and head down tilt (HDT) -5 degrees positions according to a randomized protocol determining the starting position. The ONSAS volume in both body positions was measured and compared between the two groups. The results were analyzed using a generalized linear model.

Results: Between HDT and HUT, the postural ONSAS volume change was dependent on starting position (P < 0.001) and group (P = 0.003, NTG versus healthy). A subgroup analysis of those that were randomized to HUT examination first, coming directly from an upright position, showed that the patients with NTG had significantly larger positional ONSAS volume changes compared to the healthy controls; 121 ± 22 µL vs. 65 ± 37 µL (P = 0.049). Analysis of the ONSAS volume distribution showed different profiles for patients with NTG and healthy controls.

Conclusions: There was a significant difference in ONSAS volume change between patients with NTG and healthy subjects when subjected to posture changes, specifically when going from upright to head-down posture. This indicates that patients with NTG had been exposed to a lower ONSAS pressure when they came from the upright posture, which suggests an increased translaminar pressure difference in upright position. This may support the theory that NTG has a dysfunction in an occlusion mechanism of the optic nerve sheath that could cause abnormally negative ONSAS pressures in upright posture.