Decreased retinal blood flow in retinitis pigmentosa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine alterations in retinal blood flow in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Ophthalmology department of a university-affiliated hospital in Elazig, Turkey.


METHODS
Ten patients (20 eyes) with typical RP and 22 age-matched volunteer subjects (22 eyes) with no history of ocular or systemic disease.


METHODS
Central retinal artery peak systolic and diastolic blood flow velocity (measured by means of colour Doppler imaging), resistance index and pulsatility index.


RESULTS
The mean peak systolic and diastolic flow velocity values were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (4.96 +/- 1.3 vs. 11.11 +/- 1.5 cm/s [p < 0.00001] and 2.15 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.40 +/- 0.9 cm/s [p < 0.0001] respectively). The mean resistance index value was significantly lower in the study group (0.55 +/- 0.05) than in the control group (0.71 +/- 0.06) (p < 0.0001), as was the mean pulsatility index value (0.94 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.36) (p < 0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased retinal blood flow is an important feature of RP.
Akyol
N
N
Department of Ophthalmology, First University School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey.
Kükner
S
S
Celiker
U
U
Koyu
H
H
Lüleci
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color