Researchers studied four cynomolgus monkeys with experimentally induced glaucoma in the right eye (referred to as the glaucoma group) and five control group monkeys. Results of the study had the mean ((SD) number of neurons in magnocellular layer 1 was significantly decreased in the glaucoma group compared with the control group (20 692 ( 9567 vs 37 687 ( 8017; P + .02). The mean ((SD) number of neurons in parvocellular layers 4 and 6 was significantly decreased in the glaucoma group compared with the control group (100 141 ( 44 906 vs 174 090 ( 39 136; P +.03). Data are given as the mean ( SD.

The study authors concluded that significant loss of lateral geniculate nucleus relay neurons terminating in the primary visual cortex occurs in the magnocellular and parvocellular layers in an experimental monkey model of glaucoma.

For clinical relevance, the researchers state that knowledge of the fate of neurons in the central visual system may lead to a better understanding of the nature and progression of visual loss in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.