To compare the levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate in patients with normal-tension glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma.

Thirty-two healthy subjects, 35 patients with normal-tension glaucoma, 22 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 31 patients with high-tension glaucoma were included in the present study. Fasting venous samples were collected from all the participants. The levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate were measured. One-way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate levels among the 4 groups.

The mean homocysteine levels in the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma group were 17.91 ± 5.11 and 17.60 ± 3.89 µmol/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the control group ( p = 0.014, p = 0.013, respectively). The mean vitamin B6 levels in the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma group were 17.67 ± 14.32 and 17.00 ± 10.58 nmol/l, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the control group ( p = 0.026, p = 0.008, respectively).

Hyperhomocysteinemia may play a role as a risk factor in the development or progression of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma.