April 2009
Volume 50, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2009
Choroidal Blood Flow and Retinal Ganglion Cell Function in Early Glaucoma
D. Marangoni; A. Colotto; T. Salgarello; G. Stifano; V. Parisi; C. E. Riva; E. C. Campos; B. Falsini
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • D. Marangoni
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
  • A. Colotto
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
  • T. Salgarello
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
  • G. Stifano
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
  • V. Parisi
    Ophthalmology, GB Bietti Eye Foundation-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
  • C. E. Riva
    Ophthalmology, University of Bologna, Rome, Italy
  • E. C. Campos
    Ophthalmology, University of Bologna, Rome, Italy
  • B. Falsini
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  D. Marangoni, None; A. Colotto, None; T. Salgarello, None; G. Stifano, None; V. Parisi, None; C.E. Riva, None; E.C. Campos, None; B. Falsini, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna to Riva CE and Campos EC
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2009, Vol.50, 5869. doi:
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      D. Marangoni, A. Colotto, T. Salgarello, G. Stifano, V. Parisi, C. E. Riva, E. C. Campos, B. Falsini; Choroidal Blood Flow and Retinal Ganglion Cell Function in Early Glaucoma. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2009;50(13):5869.

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Abstract

Purpose: : To assess subfoveal choroidal blood flow in patients with early manifest glaucoma (EMG) and to compare blood flow with functional measures of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) integrity.

Methods: : Subfoveal choroidal blood flow was determined by confocal, real-time laser Doppler flowmetry1,2 in 25 patients with EMG (< -6 dB Humphrey mean deviation, age range: 42-64 years, visual acuity: 0.8-1.0) and in 20 age-matched control subjects. All patients had a therapeutically (topical beta-blockers with or without a prostaglandin) controlled intraocular pressure (IOP < 20 mm Hg). Subfoveal choroidal blood volume (ChBVol), velocity (ChBVel) and flow (ChBF) were determined as the average of three 60 sec recordings with changes in the DC < 10% between the recordings (the DC measures the intensity of the light scattered by the tissue and red blood cells in the illuminated volume). In all patients and controls, pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) were also recorded according to a standardized protocol.3

Results: : In EMG patients, average ChBVel and ChBF were reduced by 31 and 35%, respectively (p < 0.01) compared to control values. No significant difference in ChBVol was found between the two groups. PERG amplitudes were reduced by 40% (p < 0.01) in EMG patients compared to controls. No correlation was found between anyone of the choroidal flow parameters and PERG data or IOP values.

Conclusions: : The results suggest a significant alteration of subfoveal choroidal hemodynamics in EMG patients, involving both ChBVel and ChBF. These changes do not appear to be associated with the severity of functional retinal ganglion cell loss. Our findings may have implications for the pathophysiology of early glaucomatous damage in EMG and its treatment.1Riva CE, Cranstoun SD, Grunwald JE, Petrig BL. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1994 2Geiser MH, Diermann U, Riva CE. J Biomed Opt, 19993Falsini B, Marangoni D, Salgarello T, et al. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 2008

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • choroid • blood supply 
© 2009, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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