[Noise field findings in 24 patients with coronary heart disease]

In earlier studies it was shown that patients with vascular disturbances (e.g. sudden hearing loss) had white-noise field campimetry abnormalities despite normal visual fields. The aim of this study was to clarify whether patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have such disturbances in the white-noise field campimetry, too.

Twenty-four patients (m:f = 23:1; mean age 58 +/- 9 years) with an angiographically documented CHD and 30 healthy controls (m:f = 29:1; mean age 54 +/- 7 years) were examined. In order to evaluate the morphological and functional ocular status, we examined the following parameters: morphological status, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, perimetry (Tübinger Automatic Perimeter 2000 ct, Oculus) and white-noise field campimetry (Tübinger Electronic Campimeter, Oculus).

Fifteen patients had had a cardiac infarction. Twenty-one patients, but only 6 controls had alterations in perilimbal vessels of the conjunctiva and sixteen patients had a tortuousity of retinal vessels. The visual acuity, the intraocular pressure, the cup/disc ratio and the visual fields were within normal ranges. However, twenty patients and 5 controls were abnormal in the white-noise field campimetry.

Although patients with CHD appeared unaffected in the standard eye examinations, the disturbances in the white-noise field campimetry indicated a functional visual impairment. Together with the changes in the perilimbal vessels of the conjunctiva and the retinal vessels, a disturbed ocular microcirculation as the underlaying cause could be discussed.