Optic nerve head circulation after intraocular pressure reduction achieved by trabeculectomy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the effects of trabeculectomy and needling revision of poorly functioning blebs on the optic nerve head (ONH) circulation in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

DESIGN:

Prospective, nonrandomized, self-controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS:

Nineteen POAG patients (age range, 52 +/- 12 years; mean +/- standard deviation) undergoing trabeculectomy and six POAG patients (age range, 62 +/- 14 years) undergoing needling revision of the bleb.

METHODS:

Using the laser speckle method, the normalized blur (NB) value, a quantitative index of blood velocity, was determined every 0.125 seconds and averaged more than three cardiac pulses in the optic nerve head (NB(ONH)).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The NB(ONH) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes, and blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) were measured before and 2 days and 1, 4, and 8 weeks after trabeculectomy, and also before and 10 and 40 min after needling procedures.

RESULTS:

Intraocular pressure in the operated eye was significantly decreased after trabeculectomy or needling procedures, and the ocular perfusion pressure was significantly increased by a maximum of 38%. The IOP in the unoperated eye, BP, and PR did not significantly change. The NB(ONH) did not significantly change in either the operated or unoperated eye.

CONCLUSIONS:

Trabeculectomy and needling procedures induced little change in the ONH circulation.

• Authors: Y Tamaki, M Araie, T Hasegawa, M Nagahara
• Journal: Ophthalmology (Ophthalmology) Vol. 108 Issue 3 Pg. 627-32 (Mar 2001) ISSN: 0161-6420 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11237920 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Blood Circulation (physiology)
• Blood Flow Velocity
• Blood Pressure
• Female
• Glaucoma, Open-Angle (physiopathology, surgery)
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure
• Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Optic Disk (blood supply)
• Prospective Studies
• Reoperation
• Trabeculectomy