NORMAL TENSION GLAUCOMA IN A PREGNANT FEMALE : CASE REPORT

Abstract

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a disease associated with normal intraocular pressure(IOP) (10 mmHg – 21 mmHg) that may lead to irreversible blindness if misdiagnosed or left untreated over a period of time. The author observed a patient with NTG diagnosed for rst time in her third trimester of pregnancy. The initial visual eld analysis results showed visual eld defects with normal IOP. Although the patient was known case of Hypertension, a condition associated with optic nerve head damage, the patient's visual eld defects were found to have progressed by the end of pregnancy. It is therefore important for ophthalmic professionals to apply due diligence when examining patients with NTG in order to expedite intervention and prevention of visual impairment and blindness.