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Abstract #15936 Published in IGR 2-3
Morphometric changes in the choriocapillaris and choroidal vasculature in eyes with advanced glaucomatous changes
Spraul CW; Lang GE; Grossniklaus HE; Lang GKOphthalmologe 2000; 97: 663-668
BACKGROUND: In addition to elevated intraocular pressure, a compromised ocular blood supply has been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (PCOG). METHODS AND MATERIAL: The authors analyzed 20 eyebank eyes with end-stage PCOG and compared these with 20 age-matched controls. The following variables were measured: density and diameter of large choroidal vessels in the macular and equatorial choroid; thickness of the choroid in the macular and equatorial region; and density and thickness of choriocapillaris in the macular, peripapillary, and equatorial choroid. RESULTS: Eyes with glaucoma displayed a lower density of the capillaries of the choriocapillaris than control eyes in the macular, temporal peripapillary, and equatorial choroid, with 0.50 versus 0.55 (p = 0.018), 0.46 versus 0.51 (p = 0.016), and 0.50 versus 0.55 (p = 0.038), respectively. Assessment of large choroidal vessels in the macular choroid showed that eyes with glaucoma had less density of veins (11.7 versus 38.9/mm2; p < 0.001) and arteries (7.7 versus 12.4/mm2; p = 0.005) and arteries with a higher diameter (45.6 versus 28.2 μm; p < 0.001) than control eyes. The large vessels in the equatorial choroid displayed no significant difference in diameter but a lower density (21.2 versus 44.1/mm2; p = 0.017) in eyes with glaucomatous damage than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with advanced glaucomatous damage after long-standing PCOG exhibit many changes in the choroidal vasculature. The authors cannot conclude from their study whether the observed vascular changes in the choroid are primary pathogenic factors or secondary phenomena.LA: German
Dr. C.W. Spraul, Universitäts-Augenklinik Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075 Ulm, Germany
Classification:
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)