Abstract
Purpose: :
Numerous studies demonstrated positive effects of phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE-5-inhibitors) on diseases linked to microcirculatory deficiencies, like erectile dysfunctions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Raynaud syndrome. PDE-5-inhibitors proved also to effectively influence choroidal blood flow in specific ophthalmological illnesses, such as diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PDE-5-inhibitors on the choroidal microcirculation in patients with Raynaud syndrome using the dynamic contour tonometry.
Methods: :
Fourteen patients with secondary Raynaud syndrome were treated using a selective PDE-5-inhibitor (5mg) (mean age 45.92 years, mean visual acuity 9/10). One group of seven patients received 10mg of a selective PDE-5-inhibitor (SPI) q.d. for fourteen days, whereas the control group received placebo (PL). For the following two weeks the first group received PL and the second group SPI respectively. Statistics were performed using Microsoft Excel and Student t-Test.
Results: :
Mean eye pressure in the placebo group was 13.7 mmHg and 14.7 mmHg in the SPI group (p=0,08). Ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) was 1.94 in the placebo group and 2.37 in the SIP group (p<0,05). During SPI treatment there were no signs of visual acuity impairment or retinal bleeding.
Conclusions: :
Pulse amplitude measurements demonstrated a significant effect of SPI on choroidal microcirculation. OPA may be useful for early clinical documentation and follow-up examinations in patients with Raynaud syndrome