Correlation of Optic Disk Morphology and Ocular Perfusion Parameters in Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Correlation of Optic Disk Morphology and Ocular Perfusion Parameters in Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in the industrialized nations. For a long time glaucoma has been defined as a disease in which high intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to irreversible optic disc damage and subsequent visual field loss. However, recent investigations show that IOP is not the only factor that is involved in the glaucomatous process leading to retinal ganglion cell death. The role of vascular factors in the pathogenesis of glaucoma has recently received much attention based on animal experiments and epidemiological studies. It is, however, assumed that vascular factors do not contribute to same degree in all glaucoma patients. Generally, it is believed that a vascular component is more important in normal tension glaucoma patients and patients with underlying cardiovascular disease. Little is, however, known about a potential association between optic nerve head morphology and ocular perfusion in POAG patients. The current study seeks to gain insight into this association by assessing ocular blood flow parameters with a number of noninvasive technologies.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women over 18 years
• Unilateral or bilateral primary open angle glaucoma
• At least 3 reliable visual field tests showing CPSD >= 2.0 in the eye that will be studied

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of acute angle closure
• Closed or barely open anterior chamber angle
• Standard deviation of visual field testing > 10
• Intraocular surgery or argon laser trabeculoplasty within the last six months
• Ocular inflammation or infection within the last three months
• Topical or systemically/oral therapy with steroids