Abstract
Purpose: :
It has previously been shown that patients with asymmetric primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) have reduced ocular blood flow parameters in the eye that is more affected by the disease. In the present study we used an array of different techniques to investigate whether some ocular vascular beds are more affected than others.
Methods: :
In the present study 15 patients with asymmetric POAG were included. Asymmetric POAG was diagnosed by optic nerve head (ONH) appearance and by assessment of visual field alterations. ONH and choroidal blood flow were measured using single point laser Doppler flowmetry at the neuroretinal rim and the submacular choroid, respectively. Retinal vessel diameters were analyzed using a Retinal Vessel Analyzer. Retrobulbar flow velocities were measured using color Doppler imaging. Results in the more affected eyes were compared to results in the less affected eyes by using t-test for dependent variables.
Results: :
There was no difference in retinal vessel diameters, choroidal blood flow or flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery between the two eyes. ONH blood flow, however, was lower in the more affected eye (10.1 ± 2.2 a.u. versus 12.7 ± 2.5 a.u., p < 0.01). Mean flow velocities in the central retinal artery were also lower in the affected eyes (5.1 ± 1.2 cm/s versus 5.9 ± 1.2 cm/s)
Conclusions: :
The present study confirms that ONH blood flow in asymmetric POAG is lower in the more affected eye. This also holds true for flow velocities in the central retinal artery. However, no difference was observed in choroidal blood flow, ophthalmic artery flow velocities and retinal vessel diameters are. This indicates that local factors are primarily responsible for reduced perfusion in asymmetric POAG.