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Diurnal variation in ocular perfusion pressure larger in POAG than non-POAG patients
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The diurnal change in ocular perfusion pressure is greater in patients with untreated glaucoma than in subjects with no glaucoma, according to a study that measured pressures throughout the day. The relative diurnal change in IOP was found to be similar between those with untreated primary open-angle glaucoma and those without, the study authors said.
Mitra Sehi and colleagues at the University of Toronto measured IOP, systolic and diastolic blood pressures in a group of 14 patients with untreated primary open-angle glaucoma and a group of 14 normal subjects. The measurements were taken every hour between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and researchers used them to calculate the mean ocular perfusion pressure.
The untreated POAG group had a statistically significantly higher mean IOP and lower mean ocular perfusion pressure. Significant diurnal changes occurred in IOP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean ocular perfusion pressure in both groups. Diurnal variations in IOP and the blood pressure measurements was not significantly different between the two groups, but the variation in mean ocular perfusion pressure was significantly different (P = .04).
Ocular perfusion changes in people with untreated primary open-angle glaucoma was lowest in early morning, when IOP was highest, the study found.
Ocular perfusion pressure and IOP were most similar at the first test time and at 1:00 p.m. The relative change in mean ocular perfusion pressure was larger in the untreated POAG group, but the change in IOP was similar. Diastolic blood pressure had a significant effect on IOP over the course of the day in the untreated glaucoma group, but not in the control group.
The study is published in the February issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.