[Transpalpebral Tetrapolar Reoophtalmography in the Assessment of Parameters of the Eye Blood Circulatory System]

[Evaluation of the effect of prostaglandin analogues and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor/β-blocker combination on the ocular blood flow in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma]

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of latanoprost and fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol on ocular hemodynamics in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study examined 34 patients (56 eyes) aged 51 to 69 years (average - 62.4±9.7 years) diagnosed with POAG in the initial (31 eyes) or advanced stage (25 eyes). Patients of the first group (20 patients, 36 eyes) were receiving latanoprost (Glauprost, Rompharm Company, Romania). The second group (14 patients, 20 eyes) was assigned to receive a fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol (Dorzopt plus, Rompharm Company, Romania). Patient examination before and at 6 and 12 months included tonometry (ICare PRO), perimetry (Heidelberg Edge Perimeter), HRT and OCT of the optic nerve (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 and Spectralis OCT2), as well as measurement of the density of surface (SVL) and deep (DVL) vascular plexus, and the Bruch's membrane opening minimum rim width (BMO-MRW). Additionally, we evaluated microcirculation in the choroid (MC) according to our original technique that uses Spectralis OCT2, and calculated rheographic index (RI) and stroke volume using transpalpebral rheoophthalmography.

RESULTS

The decrease in IOP in the Latanoprost group was on average 27% and in the control group receiving timolol and dorzolamide - on average 22% and remained stable until the end of the study. The value of the area and volume of the disc rim band, BMO-MRW did not exhibit statistically significant changes in both groups by the 12th month of observation. A tendency to increase the RI from 51.5±24.5 to 62.2±19 (p=0.084) and the median of the index of microcirculation of the choroid (MC) from 16476 up to 23767 (p=0.062) in 1st group was observed.

CONCLUSION

The study confirms the feasibility of using latanoprost and a fixed combination of dorzolamide and timolol in ocular hypotensive therapy of glaucoma thanks to their pronounced hypotensive effect. Patients were noted to have a tendency for improvement of ocular hemodynamics when using latanoprost.

Effect of Axial Eye Length on Retinal Vessel Parameters in 6 to 12-Year-Old Malay Girls

PURPOSE

Retinal vessel analysis is affected by both systemic and ocular factors. Malays are the major ethnicity in South East Asia. Data on the retinal microvasculature in Malays is limited, especially among children. We aim to evaluate the influence of ocular biometry on retinal vessel parameters in young Malay girls.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study involving 86 Malay girls aged 6 to 12 years old in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2015-2016. Ocular examination, refraction, biometry, retinal photography, and anthropometric measurements were performed. The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and overall fractal dimension (Df) were measured using validated computer-based methods (Singapore I vessel analyzer, SIVA version 3.0, Singapore). The associations of ocular biometry and CRAE, CRVE and Df were analyzed using multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

The mean CRAE, CRVE and Df in Malay girls were 171.40 (14.40) um, 248.02 (16.95) um and 1.42 (0.05) respectively. Each 1 mm increase in axial length was associated with a reduction of 4.25 um in the CRAE (p = 0.03) and a reduction of 0.02 in the Df (p = 0.02), after adjustment for age, blood pressure and body mass index. No association was observed between axial length and CRVE. Anterior chamber depth and corneal curvature had no association with CRAE, CRVE or Df.

CONCLUSION

Axial length affects retinal vessel measurements. Narrower retinal arterioles and reduced retinal fractal dimension were observed in Malay girls with longer axial lengths.