Open AccessSimultaneous management of blood flow and IOP in glaucoma
Author(s) -
Harris Alon,
JonescuCuypers Christian,
Martin Bruce,
Kagemann Larry,
Zalish Miriam,
Garzozi Hannah J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0420
pISSN - 1395-3907
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2001.079004336.x
Subject(s) - medicine , glaucoma , intraocular pressure , ophthalmology , optic nerve , ischemia , blood flow , perfusion , neuroprotection , cardiology
. Factors other than intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation must be involved in initiation and progression of glaucoma. An additional element in disease causation may be ischemia in the retina and optic nerve head. Ischemic damage to neurons in the CNS is similar mechanistically and histopathologically to changes seen in glaucoma. Further, glaucoma patients with normal IOP show clear evidence for cerebral and ocular ischemia. Aging and atherosclerosis reduce the ability of the eye to autoregulate blood flow when ocular perfusion pressure changes: the dependence of blood flow on perfusion pressure links ischemia to IOP. Consequently, neuroprotective treatments for glaucoma should be designed to both reduce IOP and improve ocular nutrient delivery.