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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

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

Conditions
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Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: ocular blood flow measurement


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Procedure: ocular blood flow measurement|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Optic nerve head blood flow (scanning laser Doppler flowmetry, laser Doppler flowmetry) |  |  | 
| Retinal blood flow (scanning laser Doppler flowmetry, laser Doppler velocimetry + retinal vessel analyzer) |  |  | 
| Choroidal blood flow (laser Doppler flowmetry, laser interferometry, pneumotonometry) |  |  | 
| Optic nerve head morphology parameters |  |  | 
| Fundus photography: evaluation based on Jonas et al. 2003 J Glaucoma 12:260-265, |  |  | 
| Heidelberg Retina Tomograph: evaluation based on Iester et al. 2001 Am J Ophthalmol 132: 57-62, |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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optic disc morphology, ocular blood flow, ocular physiology, retina