Arterial hemodynamics and its correlation with retinal microarchitecture in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Biology
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PGE) is a common form of secondary glaucoma.
• Ocular hemodynamics and retinal microarchitecture are crucial in glaucoma progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between arterial hemodynamics and retinal microarchitecture in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.
• To assess the utility of color Doppler ultrasonography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in evaluating PGE.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 82 participants (35 PGE, 47 controls).
• Measurement of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) using SD-OCT.
• Evaluation of ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery blood flow and resistivity index (RI) using color Doppler ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• PGE patients showed significantly lower RNFL and GCC thickness compared to controls (p<0.001).
• PGE patients exhibited significantly higher ophthalmic and central retinal artery RI values (p<0.001).
• A significant correlation was found between ocular artery RI and GCC thickness, but not RNFL thickness.

Conclusions:

• Structural changes in GCC and GCIPL in PGE correlate with altered ocular vascular hemodynamics.
• Increased systemic vascular resistance may affect the accuracy of GCC and GCIPL in reflecting glaucoma state.
• RNFL thickness changes may offer more realistic glaucoma insights when systemic vascular resistance is elevated in PGE.