[Ocular hemodynamics in normal tension glaucoma: effect of bimatoprost].
BACKGROUND
Altered ocular perfusion plays a role in the pathophysiology of normal tension glaucoma. Prostaglandin-like substances are very effective in lowering intraocular pressure. Less data are available regarding the influence of these compounds on ocular perfusion. In the present study the effects of bimatoprost, which has recently been shown to increase the vascular tone of ciliary arteries in vitro, on the blood flow velocity are investigated.


METHODS
n = 9 eyes from 9 normal tension glaucoma patients were subjected to color Doppler imaging (CDI) before and during a 3 - 5 week therapy with bimatoprost.


RESULTS
Bimatoprost reduces intraocular pressure from 14.0 +/- 0.4 to 11.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg (n = 9; P < 0.001). Systolic as well as diastolic blood flow velocities, resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), measured by CDI, were unaltered in the presence of bimatoprost.


CONCLUSIONS
Bimatoprost does not influence blood flow velocities in the retrobulbar vessels. The in vitro observation of increased vascular tone in the presence of bimatoprost seems not to be relevant for ocular hemodynamics.
Zeitz
O
O
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Hamburg, Germany. zeitz@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Matthiessen
E T
ET
Wiermann
A
A
Reuss
J
J
Richard
G
G
Klemm
M
M
D000577:Amides; D000069580:Bimatoprost; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000577:Amides; D008055:Lipids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003008:Cloprostenol; D000069580:Bimatoprost