THE EFFECT OF A LOWER BLOOD-PRESSURE ON CHOROIDAL FILLING IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Purpose: To determine whether the occurrence of delayed choroidal fill ing or a slower foveal electroretinogram (ERG) implicit time is relate d to systemic blood pressure in patients with age-related macular dege neration. Methods: We assessed delayed choroidal filling by fluorescei n angiography and foveal ERG implicit time with a hand-held stimulator -ophthalmoscope for the fellow eye of 67 patients with unilateral neov ascular age-related macular degeneration. Blood pressure, measured by ascultation, was converted to mean arterial pressure. The relations of delayed choroidal filling and foveal ERG implicit time to the mean ar terial pressure were assessed by logistic and linear regression, respe ctively, controlling for age, gender, and intake of hypertensive medic ation. Results: The probability of having delayed choroidal filling de creased with increasing mean arterial pressure (P = 0.01). The foveal ERG implicit time was also inversely related to the mean arterial pres sure (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Delayed choroidal filling and foveal ERG implicit time are related to blood pressure in patients with age-rela ted macular degeneration.