In this episode, we discuss the role of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in Normal Tension Glaucoma & the natural history of the condition as determined in the Normal Tension Glaucoma Study. Stephen Drance, MD, FRCSC, is Professor Emeritus UBC Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was the co-lead investigator for the Normal Tension Glaucoma studies, popularized the importance of disc hemorrahges in glaucoma which bear his name, and has made many other contributions to much of our current understanding of glaucoma. He has published 10 books, 14 book chapters, and 358 articles on Glaucoma. At the local level, he founded the UBC Eye Care Centre and Festival Vancouver. These recordings were made at the home of Stephen & Betty Drance in June, 2009.

Part 2 of this podcast will examine the relationship between the normal tension glaucoma risk factors and the natural history of the disease.

Selected references: Collaborative Normal-Tension Glaucoma Study Group. Natural History of Normal Tension Glaucoma. Ophthalmology 108; 247-253,2001 Collaborative Normal-Tension Glaucoma Study Group. Risk factors for Progression of Visual Field Abnormalities in Normal Tension Glaucoma, Amer J Ophthalmol 131; 699-708, 2001 Schulzer, M Normal Tension Glaucoma Study Group Errors in the diagnosis of visual field progression in normal tension glaucoma. Ophthalmology 101;1589-1593,1994 Schulzer,M and Normal Tension Study Group Intraocular pressure reduction in normal tension glaucoma patient Ophthalmology 99;1469-1470, 1992 Anderson D. R, Drance S.M., Schulzer M, Factors that predict the benefit of lowering intraocular pressure in normal tension glaucoma Amer.J..Ophthalmol.136;820-829, 2003

TAG Episode 6 - Drance pt 1