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Abstract #18430 Published in IGR 3-3
Association of retinal vessel caliber and visual field defects in glaucoma
Hall JK; Andrews AP; Walker R; Piltz-Seymour JRAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology 2001; 132: 855-859
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the asymmetry of peripapillary retinal vessel caliber between inferior and superior hemispheres in eyes with visual field defects predominantly in one hemifield. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 64 eyes of 64 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who had a marked difference in visual field defects between hemifields and who had no history of diabetes, trauma, or vascular occlusive disease, were studied. The diameters of the superior and inferotemporal vessels were measured at the optic disc border with calipers on an enlarged image. RESULTS: In 64 eyes, the average ratio of the superior temporal artery diameter to inferotemporal artery diameter was significantly greater in the eyes with predominantly superior visual field defects compared to those with inferior defects (1.10 ± 0.22 versus 0.92 ± 0.19, respectively, p = 0.002, two-tailed t test). This indicates that the arteriole corresponding to the hemifield with the greater visual field defect was narrower than the arteriole in the other hemifield. This relationship was confirmed using Χ2 analysis (p = 0.002) comparing the proportions of eyes with ratios greater or less than normal vessel caliber ratios (normal ratio = 0.95 from data reported by Jonas and associates) to the location of the dominant field defect. No statistically significant relationship was detected between retinal vein diameter and localized visual field defects, as determined by both the unpaired t test and Χ2 analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with POAG, this study demonstrates a strong association between decreased peripapillary arteriole diameter and visual field defects in the corresponding hemifield. This reflects either an ischemic basis for glaucomatous damage or vascular constriction when there are fewer axons to nourish.
Dr J.P. Piltz-Seymour, Glaucoma Service, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Health System, 51 North 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Classification:
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)