Article
Episcleral venous pressure in POAG and NTG
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
Text
Objective
The role of the episcleral vascular system and its morphological specialisations in regulation of intraocular pressure is still not known. Aim of the study was to investigate episcleral venous pressure in different forms of glaucoma in comparison to age-matched controls.
Methods
In 29 eyes with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), 42 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (with and without antiglaucomatous drug treatment, respectively), and 30 control eyes without ophthalmological disease other than cataract episcleral venous pressure (EVP) was measured by means of a venomanometer (Eyetech Ltd., Morton Grove, USA). Besides ophthalmological standard examination (incl. applanation tonometry), cardiovascular parameters such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed by means of ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test.
Results
In both NTG patients without (11,3±0,6 mmHg) and with therapy (11,4±0,9 mmHg) EVP was significantly higher than in control eyes (9,6±0,3 mmHg). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly different between both NTG groups, however not different as compared to the controls. In the POAG group without therapy (13,6±1,0 mmHg) EVP was significantly higher than in the POAG group with therapy (10,3±0,4 mmHg) and the control group. Both POAG groups showed a significantly higher IOP than the controls.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates for the first time differencies in episcleral venous pressure in NTG and POAG with and without therapy in comparison to healthy controls. Both the ratio EVP/IOD as well as the difference IOD-EVP differ significantly between the various study groups.
Grant: Forschungsförderung der DOG (JMS)