Nicotinamide and Glaucoma

The investigators plan to recruit four groups, each containing 30 subjects: 1) pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, 2) High tension open-angle glaucoma, 3) Normal tension glaucoma 4) Age-matched controls. Those enrolled will undergo two visits including an ophthalmic exam, blood sampling, and at the first visit, distribution of nicotinamide tablets. We plan to recruit participants amongst glaucoma patients already followed at the Eye Clinic at Umeå University Hospital. Furthermore, age-matched controls will be recruited through lists from the population register at Statistics Sweden. Before enrolling any subject, they will receive both oral and written information as well as sign a consent form. Furthermore, they will be evaluated to make sure that they fulfill the inclusion- and exclusion criteria prior to inclusion.

The ophthalmic exam includes measurement of IOP, perimetry, and OCT/A. Between visits, the participants will receive 1,5 grams of NAM per day the first week and 3 grams per day the second week. The blood drawn will initially be sent to Biobanken Norr for storage. Samples will then be sent to the Swedish Metabolomics Centre, Umeå University and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska University for analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Inclusion criteria

for glaucoma patients:

• Manifest glaucoma (PEXG, HTG, NTG) in one or two eyes,
• age > 18 years,
• replicable visual field defects that cannot be explained by any other disease or insult,
• suspect/anomalous optic nerve head or abnormalities in the retinal nerve fiber layer.

Inclusion criteria

for age-matched controls:

-A normal visual field and optic nerve, age > 18 years.

Exclusion criteria

for all:

• Any disease affecting retinal function (such as more than mild macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy), neurological or other non-glaucomatous conditions that may affect the visual field,
• inability to perform a perimetric exam,
• resistance in quitting intake of multivitamins or B-vitamins,
• allergy to NAM or niacin, previous eye surgery involving the central retina,
• pregnant or breast-feeding women,
• fertile women not using reliable contraception,
• diagnosis of cancer in the last five years (not including treated squamous cell carcinoma), anamnesis of liver-disease or peptic ulcer,
• not able to speak and understand either Swedish or English.