THE USE OF FLUNARIZINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOW-TENSION GLAUCOMA - A COLOR DOPPLER STUDY

The authors assess the efficacy of flunarizine in improving blood flow and perimetric indices in low-tension glaucoma (LTG). A group of 20 p atients with LTG well-compensated by medical treatment underwent Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) of the ophthalmic artery and posterior ciliary arteries with peak systolic velocity (PSV) and Purcelot's index (PI) e valuation. Computerized perimetry was also performed to assess MD, SF and CPSD. The parameters were measured before and after three months' therapy with flunarizine. Data before and after flunarizine treatment were: Ophthalmic artery - PSV 33.261+/-1.628 cm/sec vs 35.746+/-0.800 cm/sec (p<0.001); PI 0.697+/-0.017 vs 0.627+/-0.031 (p<0.001); Posteri or ciliary arteries - PSV 9.385+/-0.751 cm/sec vs 10.738+/-1.566 cm/se c (p<0.005); PI 0.6731+/-0.056 vs 0.589+/-0.023 (p<0.001). The perimet ric indices were modified as follows: MD -11.002+/-6.574 vs -6.604+/-6 .426 (p<0.006); SF 5.05+/-5.717 vs 2.937+/-1.780 (p<0.193); CPSD 10.19 8+/-13.392 vs 3.445+/-2.709 (p<0.093). Oral administration of flunariz ine, a calcium channel-blocker which acts at a vascular and neuronal l evel, improves the blood flow indices for the optic nerve, improving t hereby the perimetric indices in LTG.