Abstract
Purpose: :
Changes in the basal diameter and retinal autoregulation is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy. In vitro studies have shown that the prostaglandins are involved in the tone regulation of retinal arterioles, but it is unknown whether this finding is relevant for clinical practise.
Methods: :
In a pilot study four normal persons and two type 1 diabetic patients aged 20-35 years and minimal diabetic retinopathy were studied. The persons were allocated to receive the prostaglandin agonist Xalatan or the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor Voltaren twice a day for one week. The baseline diameter and the diameter change of a retinal arteriole was measured before and at the end of the treatment period using the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer.
Results: :
In both normal persons and in patients with diabetic retinopathy the treatment with Xalatan induced a significant contraction of the baseline arteriolar diameter (p<0,001 for both comparisons) whereas Voltaren induced a significant dilatation (p<0,001 and p=0,002 respectively) of this diameter.
Conclusions: :
Topical treatment with compounds interfering with the effect of prostaglandins may affect the diameter of retinal resistance vessels and may consequently have an effect on flow disturbances in diabetic retinopathy. A prospective randomized clinical trial of the effect of Xalatan and Voltaren on retinal vascular diameter is needed.
Clinical Trial: :
www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00619034
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • blood supply • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials