[Evaluation of focal arteriolar narrowing of retinal arterioles in glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
Vascular risk factors seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. This study was performed to compare the prevalence of focal arteriolar narrowing in glaucoma patients and normals.


METHODS
Stereoscopic optic disc photographs of 40 normal subjects and 14 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients were reviewed independently in a masked fashion by two graders. Focal arteriolar narrowing within one disc diameter from the rim edge was evaluated based on two different methods: narrowing present if (1) the arteriole was wider distal to the narrowing and (2) if the arteriole was wider both distal and proximal to the narrowing.


RESULTS
With both methods, focal arteriolar narrowing was significantly higher in glaucoma versus normal eyes. Focal arteriolar narrowing was observed with definition 1 in 35.0% of normals and 71.4% of POAG patients and with definition 2 in 12.5% of normals and 42.9% of POAG patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Focal arteriolar narrowing is more frequent in glaucoma patients than in normals. Independent of the method for assessing arteriolar narrowing, however, the diagnostic value of arteriolar narrowing seems limited due to the high incidence in normals.
Böhm
A G
AG
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden. boehm@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Bowd
C
C
El-Beltagi
T
T
Pillunat
L E
LE
Weinreb
R N
RN
D001160:Arterioles / Q000473:pathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors