Ocular blood flow in glaucoma - the Leuven Eye Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a primary risk factor for glaucoma.
• Vascular dysfunction is frequently observed in glaucoma patients.
• A large-scale clinical trial integrating ocular blood flow data is needed for glaucoma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess ocular blood flow parameters in various glaucoma types and compare them to healthy controls.
• To determine if vascular data can serve as a clinical tool for glaucoma screening and disease stratification.
• To establish a large database for integrating vascular aspects into clinical glaucoma practice.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study involving 614 subjects.
• Included patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), ocular hypertension (OHT), glaucoma suspects, and healthy controls.
• Ocular blood flow assessed using color Doppler imaging, retinal oximetry, dynamic contour tonometry, and OCT enhanced-depth imaging of the choroid.

Main Results:

• Glaucoma groups exhibited higher mean ocular perfusion pressure compared to controls (p < 0.001).
• Patients with glaucoma showed lower retrobulbar velocities and higher retinal venous saturation.
• Choroidal thickness asymmetries were noted in glaucoma groups compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

• The Leuven Eye Study is a significant clinical trial focusing on ocular blood flow in glaucoma.
• The collected data may facilitate the integration of vascular assessments into routine glaucoma care.
• This research contributes to understanding the role of vascular factors in glaucoma pathophysiology.