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Abstract #5283 Published in IGR 1-2
Optic disk appearances in primary open-angle glaucoma
Goldberg I; Chai E; Chia A; Benscher C; Bauman A; Chen JSurvey of Ophthalmology 1999; 43 (S1): S66-S68
Ocular vasospasm in response to local and/or systemic stimuli may contribute to ischemia of the optic nerve. The Hettinger hand vibration test was applied to patients with and without glaucoma to identify subgroups with a high systemic vasospastic tendency. A total of 580 subjects were tested (113 controls, 86 glaucoma suspects, 270 with primary open-angle glaucoma, 71 with secondary open-angle glaucoma, 30 with normal-tension glaucoma, and 10 with angle-closure glaucoma). The frequency distribution curve of Hettinger scores (HS) was bimodal, suggesting two distinct groups. Within each diagnostic group, a subpopulation with a high HS could be identified. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between the nonselective topical ß-blocker timolol and higher mean HS (p=0.04) and a significantly higher proportion of subjects with HS of 1.5 or more (p=0.01). Although subjects taking systemic ß1-selective blockers had significantly lower mean HS (p=0.04), the proportion of patients with HS of 1.5 of more was not affected significantly by topical and systemic ß1-selective blocker use. Whereas topical nonselective ß-blockers may have an adverse effect on vasospastic tendency, systemic ß1-selective blockers may be partially protective against this effect.
I. Goldberg, Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney, NSW; Australia
Classification:
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
11.3.4 Betablocker (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)