A double masked placebo controlled study on the effect of nifedipine on optic nerve blood flow and visual field function in patients with open angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether nifedipine affects ocular perfusion or visual fields in open angle glaucoma patients.


METHODS
In a parallel group study nifedipine or placebo was administered for 3 months (n = 30). Ocular fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA), cup blood flow (Flowcup) and visual field mean deviation (MD) were measured.


RESULTS
Five patients receiving nifedipine discontinued due to adverse events. Nifedipine did not affect FPA [difference: 0.3 microm (95% CI -0.3,0.9); P = 0.70], Flowcup: [difference: -9 rel.units (95% CI -133,114); P = 0.99], or MD [difference: 0.2dB (95% CI -2.2,2.7); P = 0.51] vs placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic nifedipine is not well tolerated in glaucoma patients and exerts no effect on visual fields or ocular perfusion.
Rainer
G
G
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Physics, Vienna, Austria.
Kiss
B
B
Dallinger
S
S
Findl
O
O
Georgopoulos
M
M
Vass
C
C
Menapace
R
R
Polak
K
K
Eichler
H G
HG
Wolzt
M
M
Schmetterer
L
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009543:Nifedipine