Static and Dynamic Pupil Characteristics in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Glaucoma

Background: To compare the static and dynamic pupillometry measurements in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES), patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) and age-matched healthy subjects using an automatic quantitative pupillometry system.

Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study consisted of 40 patients with PES, 30 patients with PEG and 43 control subjects. Static pupillometry measurements including scotopic pupil diameter, mesopic pupil diameter, low photopic pupil diameter, and high photopic pupil diameter were undertaken. Subsequently, dynamic pupillometry measurements including resting diameter, amplitude of pupil contraction, latency of pupil contraction, duration of pupil contraction, velocity of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilation, duration of pupil dilation, and velocity of pupil dilation were undertaken. These measurements were compared between the groups.

Results: The scotopic, mesopic, and low photopic pupil diameter values were statistically significantly lower in patients with PES and PEG compared with controls (p < 0.001). However, these parameters were similar between the patients with PES and PEG (p > 0.05). The mean values of high photopic pupil diameter were similar within all groups (p = 0.54). The amplitude of pupil contraction values of the patients with PEG was statistically significantly lower than the patients with PES and the controls (p < 0.05). Patients with PES also had significantly lower amplitude of pupil contraction values compared with controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the velocity of pupil contraction values was statistically significantly higher in control subjects when compared to the patients with PES and PEG (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that accumulation of pseudoexfoliative material can cause alterations in static and dynamic pupillary characteristics and the progression from PES to PEG may be associated with reduced amplitude of pupil contraction values.