Serum free fatty acids levels not associated with normal tension glaucoma

Purpose: To determine the free fatty acid levels in the sera of patients with normal-tension glaucoma and compare it with that of normal controls. Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed normal-tension glaucoma and forty-four age and gender matched controls were evaluated. The type and level of fatty acids in the sera were measured by gas chromatography (Model GC17A; Shimazu, Kyoto, Japan). Twenty-four fatty acids were identified from 12:0 to 24:1. The values were compared between the normal-tension glaucoma and control groups by Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: No statistically significant difference was found in the levels of any free fatty acids between the normal-tension glaucoma group and control group. Conclusion: No significant association was found in the serum free fatty acids levels including docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid between normal-tension glaucoma patients and controls.