Pupillary responses to light are not affected by narrow irido-corneal angles

Abstract

© 2017 The Author(s). Chromatic pupillometry is an emerging method for evaluating ocular health that relies upon the differential stimulation of rods, cones, and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Although it has been investigated in conditions affecting the outer or inner retina, there is a paucity of studies in conditions where the anterior chamber of the eye is affected. Primary angle closure suspects (PACS) are defined as eyes with narrow anterior chamber angles and intact retina. PACS patients are at risk of developing primary angle closure glaucoma and are prophylactically treated by performing laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). Here we evaluated pupillary responses to monchromatic lights in 18 PACS before and after LPI, and compared the results with those of 36 age-matched controls who had gonioscopically open angles. Dose response curves for pupillary constriction were similar between PACS patients and controls (p = 0.98 for blue and 0.90 for red light) and within subjects pre-and post-LPI (p = 0.58 for blue and 0.20 for red light). Baseline-adjusted pupillary constriction responses to blue and red lights were similar in controls and PACS, and not altered after LPI. Our findings suggest that narrow irido-corneal angles and LPI do not influence pupillary responses in PACS.