Objective:
To evaluate the effects of glaucoma medication on ocular blood flow in primary open angle glaucoma patients.
Material and Methods:
32 eyes of the 16 glaucoma patients, and 40 eyes of the 20 healthy people as control group whose target intraocular pressure was within acceptable limits were included in the study. Peak systolic velocities (PSV), end-diastolic velocities (EDV), resistive indices (RI), and pulsatile indices (PI) of the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), nasal and temporal branches of posterior ciliary artey (n/t PCA) were measured by color doppler imaging and registered.
Results:
PI and RI of the OA were statistically decreased in glaucoma group. Mean velocity of CRA was increased, and PI was decreased when crossed with control group. There were no statistically changes in the velocities and indices of the other arteries.
Conclusion:
The topical antiglaucoma medication does not only have intraocular pressure (IOP) decreasing effects, but also has direct increasing effects on ocular blood flow.
Keywords: Glaucoma, ocular hypertension, color doppler ultrasound