The effects of latanoprost and brimonidine on blood flow velocity of the retrobulbar vessels: a 3-month clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of topical latanoprost 0.005% and topical brimonidine tartrate 0.2% on retrobulbar blood flow in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).


METHODS
Forty-one consecutive patients with POAG and OHT were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, randomized, parallel study. Patients received either latanoprost 0.005% or brimonidine 0.2% for 3 months. Baseline retrobulbar blood flow measurements of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and temporal short posterior ciliary artery were taken using colour Doppler imaging ultrasound, concurrently with systemic blood pressure, heart rate, ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. These measurements were repeated after 3 months.


RESULTS
Both latanoprost and brimonidine significantly reduced IOP (p < 0.05). While there was a statistically significant increase in peak systolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery, no significant change was observed in the other vessels with latanoprost treatment (p < 0.05). Topical brimonidine did not significantly alter flow velocities or resistive indices in the retrobulbar vessels after 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical latanoprost and brimonidine significantly reduced IOP in patients with POAG and OHT without causing significant haemodynamic alterations in the retrobulbar vessels.
Inan
Umit Ubeyt
UU
Department of Ophthalmology, Kocatepe University, School of Medicine, Afyon, Turkey. uuinan@superonline.com
Ermis
Sitki Samet
SS
Yücel
Aylin
A
Oztürk
Faruk
F
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D000077338:Latanoprost