A comparison of ocular blood flow in untreated primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. 1998

J Kerr, and P Nelson, and C O'Brien
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE To compare ocular blood flow in untreated primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension using scanning laser Doppler flowmetry and pulsatile ocular blood flow. METHODS Fourteen ocular hypertensive subjects and 10 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were matched for intraocular pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and age. They had scanning laser Doppler flowmetry images taken centered on the optic disk. Pulsatile ocular blood flow readings were performed in sitting, standing, and supine positions. No subjects were receiving topical antiglaucoma treatment, systemic beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, or nitrates at the time of measurement. RESULTS Laser Doppler flowmetry results showed a significant reduction in blood velocity, volume, and flow at the lamina cribrosa and the temporal neuroretinal rim in glaucoma compared to ocular hypertension (P < .05). No difference was found between the groups at the nasal neuroretinal rim or the nasal juxtapapillary retina. There was a significant increase in minimum velocity (P = .03) at the temporal juxtapapillary retina in glaucoma compared to ocular hypertension. The ocular pulse amplitude, pulse volume, and pulsatile ocular blood flow were significantly lower (P < .05) in the glaucoma group compared to ocular hypertension in sitting and standing positions. CONCLUSIONS Having controlled for factors known to affect perfusion pressure, we found evidence of reduced ocular blood flow in primary open-angle glaucoma compared with ocular hypertension. Our findings indicate a reduction in choroidal and short posterior ciliary artery circulation in primary open-angle glaucoma. Whether these changes in blood flow are a cause or a consequence of glaucomatous optic atrophy is still unknown.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007429 Intraocular Pressure The pressure of the fluids in the eye. Ocular Tension,Intraocular Pressures,Ocular Tensions,Pressure, Intraocular,Pressures, Intraocular,Tension, Ocular,Tensions, Ocular
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009798 Ocular Hypertension A condition in which the intraocular pressure is elevated above normal and which may lead to glaucoma. Glaucoma, Suspect,Hypertension, Ocular,Glaucomas, Suspect,Hypertensions, Ocular,Ocular Hypertensions,Suspect Glaucoma,Suspect Glaucomas
D009898 Optic Disk The portion of the optic nerve seen in the fundus with the ophthalmoscope. It is formed by the meeting of all the retinal ganglion cell axons as they enter the optic nerve. Blind Spot,Optic Disc,Optic Nerve Head,Optic Papilla,Blind Spots,Disc, Optic,Disk, Optic,Head, Optic Nerve,Nerve Head, Optic,Optic Discs,Optic Disks,Optic Nerve Heads,Optic Papillas,Papilla, Optic,Papillas, Optic,Spot, Blind
D011673 Pulsatile Flow Rhythmic, intermittent propagation of a fluid through a BLOOD VESSEL or piping system, in contrast to constant, smooth propagation, which produces laminar flow. Flow, Pulsating,Perfusion, Pulsatile,Flow, Pulsatile,Flows, Pulsatile,Flows, Pulsating,Perfusions, Pulsatile,Pulsatile Flows,Pulsatile Perfusion,Pulsatile Perfusions,Pulsating Flow,Pulsating Flows
D001783 Blood Flow Velocity A value equal to the total volume flow divided by the cross-sectional area of the vascular bed. Blood Flow Velocities,Flow Velocities, Blood,Flow Velocity, Blood,Velocities, Blood Flow,Velocity, Blood Flow
D001810 Blood Volume Volume of circulating BLOOD. It is the sum of the PLASMA VOLUME and ERYTHROCYTE VOLUME. Blood Volumes,Volume, Blood,Volumes, Blood
D002829 Choroid The thin, highly vascular membrane covering most of the posterior of the eye between the RETINA and SCLERA. Choriocapillaris,Haller Layer,Haller's Layer,Sattler Layer,Sattler's Layer,Choroids
D005260 Female Females

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