Decreased nitric oxide production in primary open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor responsible for optic nerve damage in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The trabecular meshwork acts as a valve in aqueous outflow and relaxes with nitric oxide (NO) agonists. Since NO is synthesized by endothelium and smooth muscle elsewhere in the body, this study investigated the NO levels in the aqueous humor of patients with POAG compared with cataract patients