[Effect of intraocular pressure and arterial blood pressure variations on glaucoma progression].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to collect data describing the implication of intraocular pressure (IOP) and arterial blood pressure in the progression of glaucoma.


METHODS
The literature selection for this Article was based on MEDLINE searches covering the last 20 Years and relevant Articles. Topics covered were ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, IOP fluctuations, arterial hypotension, and glaucoma.


RESULTS
Hypoperfusion of the optic nerve head is among the significant factors relating to glaucoma damage. The physiological decrease in nocturnal blood pressure is more pronounced in some glaucoma patients, particularly in those presenting normal pressure glaucoma or with progressive visual field loss. Normal human subjects have a circadian variation in their IOP and these fluctuations are related to the sleep-wake cycle. In glaucoma patients, unappreciated IOP fluctuations may explain many cases of glaucoma progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Eyes with advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy were associated with more marked alterations in the optic nerve vascular supply circulation than eyes with less nerve damage. Numerous findings suggest that circadian IOP variations and arterial blood pressure may play a role in the progression of glaucoma.
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Pavillon C, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 5, Place d'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon cédex 03, France.
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D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014661:Vasoconstriction