O. Arend et al., Evaluation of retinal hemodynamics by means of digital scanning laser fluorescence angiography in normal-tension glaucoma, OPHTHALMOLO, 96(1), 1999, pp. 24-29
Chronic ischemia of the retina and the optic nerve head seems of importance
especially in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The purpose of
this study was to examine the retinal hemodynamics in patients with NTG.
Patients: Twenty-five patients with NTG were examined (3 weeks washout peri
od) in this study (age 58 +/- 16 years). The arteriovenous passage (AVP) ti
me and arterial and venous diameters from scanning laser fluorescein angiog
rams were evaluated by means of digital image analysis.
Results: The AVP time in patients with NTG (2.78 +/- 1.1 s) was significant
ly prolonged (P < 0.0001) compared with healthy subjects (1.58 +/- 0.4 s).
No significant correlation was found between arterial and venous diameters,
intraocular pressure, blood pressure or calculated perfusion pressure and
retinal arteriovenous passage time.
Conclusion: Patients with NTG showed prolonged retinal passage, which could
cause chronic hypoxia. This prolongation of circulation is not correlated
with any of the clinical parameters. Thus, a circulatory defect might be a
primary factor in the pathogenesis of NTG.