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Abstract #15685 Published in IGR 2-3
Serum methanol levels in subjects with or without optic nerve head disease
Hayasaka Y; Hayasaka S; Hiraki S; Kadoi C; Nagaki Y; Matsumoto MOphthalmic Research 2000; 32: 299-304
The authors evaluated serum methanol levels in subjects with or without optic nerve head disease. Serum methanol levels were determined using gas chromatography in 71 patients with optic nerve head disease and in 127 subjects without optic nerve head disease. Ages ranged from 17-89 years. Serum methanol levels in 127 subjects without optic nerve head disease ranged from 0.12 to 3.86 μg/ml (mean ± standard deviation, 1.72 ± 0.86 μg/ml). In subjects without optic nerve head disease, the difference in level between those with cataract versus retinal detachment, males versus females, and between each age group (50-80 years) was not significant. The methanol level in patients with optic neuritis (n = 2), Wolfram syndrome (n = 1), Leber hereditary optic neuropathy at the late stage (n = 2), retinitis pigmentosa (n = 23), and primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 16), was less than 3.86 μg/ml. The methanol level in one patient with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy at the acute stage was 5.28 μg/ml. Of ten patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma, one had a slightly elevated level and nine had levels of less than 3.86 μg/ml. Of 17 patients with normal tension glaucoma, five had methanol levels higher than 3.86 μg/ml, and 12 had levels less than 3.86 μg/ml. The present study shows that serum methanol levels in subjects without optic nerve head disease ranged from 0.12-3.86 μg/ml and were much lower than the levels that produce acute ocular symptoms of methanol intoxication. It is possible that high serum methanol levels may play a role in the acute stage of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and normal tension glaucoma in certain patients. It is unlikely that increased serum methanol levels participate in primary angle-closure glaucoma.
Dr. Y. Hayasaka, Department of Ophthalmology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
Classification:
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
9.2.4 Normal pressure glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
