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Changes in Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow During Horizontal Ocular Duction.
Manami Kawai1, Toshiaki Goseki1,2, Kazunori Hirasawa1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|January 3, 2024
Summary
Optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow decreases during eye movements in both healthy and glaucoma patients. However, the relative change in blood flow during these movements is similar across all groups, suggesting no significant difference in ONH vascular response to ocular duction between normal and glaucoma eyes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow is crucial for retinal ganglion cell survival.
- Understanding ONH hemodynamics during ocular movements may reveal disease-specific changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare ONH blood flow changes during horizontal ocular duction in normal, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes.
- To investigate if ocular movements differentially affect ONH perfusion in glaucoma compared to healthy eyes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 90 participants (30 normal, 30 POAG, 30 NTG).
- ONH blood flow measured using laser speckle flowgraphy.
- Measurements taken during central gaze, 30-degree abduction, and 30-degree adduction.
- Analyzed mean blur rate (MBR) for total (MA), vascular (MV), and tissue (MT) areas, and calculated change ratios.
Main Results:
- ONH blood flow (MA) significantly decreased during adduction in normal eyes.
- POAG eyes showed significant MA and MV decreases during both adduction and abduction compared to central gaze.
- NTG eyes exhibited a significant MA decrease during adduction compared to central gaze and abduction.
- The change ratio of ONH blood flow did not significantly differ between glaucoma and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Horizontal ocular duction leads to a decrease in ONH blood flow in both healthy individuals and glaucoma patients.
- Despite observed decreases, the relative change in ONH blood flow during ocular duction is comparable between normal and glaucoma groups.
- These findings suggest that the vascular response of the ONH to horizontal eye movements is not significantly altered in POAG or NTG.
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