Role of nocturnal arterial hypotension in optic nerve head ischemic disorders

To investigate the role of nocturnal arterial hypotension, intraocular pressure (IOP) and heart rate in optic nerve head (ONH) ischemic disorders, and the effects of systemic factors and topical beta-blocker eye-drops on nocturnal arterial hypotension and heart rate.

We investigated prospectively, by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and diurnal curve of the IOP, 275 white patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION - 114), normal tension glaucoma (NTG - 131) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG - 30).

Hourly average BP data analyses showed a significantly greater drop in mean diastolic BP (p < 0.009) at night in NTG than AION. Cases with visual field deterioration had significantly (p = 0.05) lower minimum nighttime diastolic BP. Arterial hypertensives on oral hypotensive therapy showed a significantly lower mean nighttime systolic BP (p = 0.006) and larger mean percentage drop in systolic (p < 0.0001), diastolic (p = 0.0009) and mean (p < 0.0001) BPs. Normotensives and hypertensives without therapy had no such difference. IOP showed no significant correlation with visual field deterioration in any of these conditions. Patients using beta-blocker eyedrops, compared with those not using them, had greater percentage drop in diastolic BP (p = 0.028), lower minimum nighttime diastolic BP (p = 0.072) and lower minimum nighttime heart rate (p = 0.002).

Findings of our study suggest that nocturnal hypotension, by reducing the ONH blood flow below a crucial level during sleep in a vulnerable ONH, may play a role in the pathogenesis of AION and glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) and progression of visual loss in them. Thus, nocturnal hypotension may be the final insult in a multifactorial situation.