Retrobulbar blood flow lower in healthy eyes in persons of African descent compared with Europeans

Issue: October 2016

Persons of African descent were found to have a lower retrobulbar blood flow than those of European descent, which may be a reason that those of African descent have an increased risk of glaucoma.

The study included 24 subjects of African descent and 34 subjects of European descent, all with healthy eyes. Retrobulbar blood flow and retinal capillary blood flow were assessed in one eye of each subject. Retrobulbar blood flow measurements were taken in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, temporal posterior ciliary artery and nasal posterior ciliary artery.

Subjects of African descent had significantly lower end diastolic velocity in the nasal posterior ciliary artery (P = .01) and higher resistive index in the central retinal artery (P = .04) and temporal posterior ciliary artery (P = .01). In the central retinal artery, subjects of African descent had a significantly higher resistive index value compared with subjects of European descent (P = .04).

Additionally, in the central retinal artery, a negative correlation between pattern standard deviation and peak systolic velocity was observed in subjects of African descent (P = .02). The correlation was significantly different from the subjects of European descent (P = .01).

“The results of this study suggest the presence of differences in blood flow in retrobulbar vessels even in healthy eyes between people of [African and European descent]. These differences may contribute to the susceptibility of people of [African descent] to develop [primary open-angle glaucoma] compared with people of [European descent],” the study authors said. – by Robert Linnehan

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Kaskan B, et al. J Glaucoma. 2016;doi:10.1097/IJG.0000000000000509.