Arteriolar Diameters in Glaucomatous Eyes with Single-Hemifield Damage

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Vascular Diseases
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Understanding the microvascular changes in glaucoma is crucial for early detection and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between retinal arteriolar caliber, retinal sensitivity (RS), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in glaucoma patients with unilateral visual field defects.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 20 glaucoma patients with single-hemifield loss and 20 normal subjects.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for RNFL thickness, standard automated perimetry for RS, and scanning laser Doppler flowmetry for arteriolar diameters were utilized.

Main Results:

• Glaucomatous eyes exhibited significantly thinner RNFL compared to normal eyes (p < 0.001).
• Positive correlations were observed between RNFL thickness and both external and internal arteriolar diameters in glaucomatous eyes.
• Internal arteriolar diameter correlated with RS in the affected hemifield. Reduced RNFL thickness, RS, and internal arteriolar diameter were noted in the abnormal hemifield.

Conclusions:

• Retinal vessel attenuation in glaucoma with single-hemifield loss is linked to thinner RNFL and decreased RS.
• Narrower arteriolar lumen and increased wall-to-lumen ratio in affected areas suggest vessel narrowing is secondary to reduced blood flow demand.