Diagnostic and prognostic indices in primary open angle glaucoma: a color Doppler study

The authors compute a diagnostic (Di) and a prognostic (Pi) index in primary open angle glaucoma. Four groups of patients were studied. Group A consisted of subjects under 50 years of age, group B of subjects over 50 years of age, group C of patients with normal tension glaucoma and group D with high tension glaucoma. All patients underwent color doppler imaging of the ophthalmic, posterior ciliary and choroid arteries. The Di of the choroid vessels were 0.967 +/- 0.011 (gp. A), 1.112 +/- 0.010 (gp. B), 1.506 +/- 0.008 (gp. C) and 2.891 +/- 0.083 (gp. D). The Pi of the posterior ciliary arteries were 22.700 +/- 1.160 (gp. A), 20.000 +/- 0.943 (gp. B), 15.100 +/- 0.568 (gp. C) and 12.100 +/- 0.083 (gp. D). Confirmation of these data might validate them as a tool for preventing the evolution of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.