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INTRODUCTION[|]This study was designed to evaluate hemodynamic alterations in the retrobulbar blood flow in primary open-angle and normal-tension glaucoma patients using Doppler ultrasonography (US) and to emphasize the importance of diagnostic imaging and vascular factors in the etiology.[¤]METHODS[|]A total of 98 eyes of 50 patients were examined for the study. The control group consisted of 14 normal cases. The patient groups were comprised of 25 patients with primary open-angle and 11 patients with normal-tension glaucoma. All of the examinations were performed using a multifrequency (5-7.5-10 MHz) linear transducer and a Toshiba PowerVision 7000 SSA-380A color Doppler US device (Toshiba Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The peak systolic velocity and resistive index values of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and temporal posterior ciliary arteries were examined.[¤]RESULTS[|]There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender distribution, and no difference in peak systolic velocity or resistive index between the 2 eyes. In both glaucoma groups, the peak systolic velocity and resistive index of the ophthalmic artery and the peak systolic velocity in the central retinal artery showed no statistically significant difference with those of the control group. The resistive index of the central retinal artery was higher in the glaucoma patients compared with the control group. In the posterior ciliary arteries, the peak systolic velocity was lower and the resistive index was higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 glaucoma groups in any parameter.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]The findings in the central retinal artery, and especially in the posterior ciliary arteries, support the theory that changes in vascular hemodynamics can play a role in the etiology of glaucoma. Color Doppler US is a safe, noninvasive, contrast-free, radiation-free, and reproducible method to evaluate retrobulbar blood flow.[¤] |
