Tag-Nacht-Schwankungen des Augeninnendrucks als eigenständiger Risikofaktor für das primäre Offenwinkelglaukom

Purpose. Purpose: In addition to the static observation of intraocular pressure at an arbitrary time point, the dynamic observation of intraocular pressure in the 24-hour rhythm is considered to be clinically useful in order to better assess the extent of day-night fluctuations. Material and Methods. The literature review includes the current state of knowledge regarding the 24-hour fluctua- tions in intraocular pressure as an independent risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma. The literature search was performed with PubMed. Results. The intraocular pressure is neuronally regulated and is involved in the circadian regulation via the nucleus supra- chiasmaticus; the normal fluctuation in intraocular pressure is 5 mmHg. In the context of systemic neurodegeneration in primary open-angle glaucoma, there is also a disturbance of the cir- cadian rhythm. The fluctuations in intraocular pressure can be 10 mmHg or more and are an independent risk factor for glaucoma progression. Conclusion. Thus, the goal of successful glaucoma therapy is not only to achieve an individual target pressure range, but also to normalise abnormal circadian intraocular pressure fluctuations. Keywords glaucoma, circadian rhythm, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress