Should mitral valve prolapse be considered as one of the risk factors for open angle glaucoma? A preliminary observation

Abstract

AIM: To assess the incidence of mitral valve prolapse in patients with newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 12 patients without any other comorbidities or taking any general or local medications. Each patient underwent a full ophthalmological examination with visual field assessment and optical computed tomography of the macula and optic nerve head. Carotid Doppler ultrasound was performed to exclude impaired blood flow in this region and transthoracic echocardiography with assessment of the function and morphology of the heart valves. RESULTS: In the study group, mitral valve prolapse was found in seven patients (58.3%), while mitral valve regurgitation in 11 patients (91.7%). One case of normal pressure glaucoma and four cases of juvenile glaucoma were diagnosed. There were also other risk factors for glaucoma: myopia (58.3%), migraine headaches (41.7%), a positive family history of glaucoma (16.7%). CONCLUSION: Mitral valve prolapse could be indicated as a new risk factor for glaucoma. It seems reasonable to conduct screening tests for glaucoma in patients with mitral valve prolapse in the course of echocardiography.

Keywords

• ultrasonography
• doppler
• echocardiography
• heart valves
• mitral valve insufficiency