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Intraocular pulse pressure, spontaneous venous pulsations linked in study

Am J Ophthalmol. 2009;147(1):51-55.

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The amplitude of intraocular pulse pressure significantly correlated with spontaneous venous pulsations in patients with normal intracranial pressure.

The study included 47 patients with no apparent signs or symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure. Patients with glaucoma or retinal vascular disease were excluded.

Investigators used applanation tonometry to assess IOP and the Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer (Ziemer) to gauge intraocular pulse pressure (IOPP). Direct ophthalmoscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy were used to determine the existence of spontaneous venous pulsations (SVPs). Investigators also assessed age, cup-to-disc ratio and refractive error. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of SVPs with normal IOPP.

"The incidence of SVPs declined with increasing age in a nonlinear manner," the study authors said.

Indirect ophthalmoscopy provided the most sensitive detection of SVPs; 91.5% of patients had venous pulsation. All patients with IOPP of 1.2 mm Hg or more in at least one eye had SVPs, the study authors said.