The effects of raloxifene hydrochloride on ocular hemodynamics and visual function.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the comprehensive effects of raloxifene hydrochloride on retinal, choroidal and retrobulbar hemodynamics and on visual function in post-menopausal women.


METHODS
Twenty-four post-menopausal women (age 55 +/- 3.8 years) were recruited for this cross-sectional study: 12 received placebo and 12 received raloxifene hydrochloride 60 mg once a day for 3 months. Baseline measurements of both groups included heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and intraocular pressure (IOP) for both eyes. A comprehensive ocular blood flow (OBF) assessment was obtained for each patient in a randomly chosen study eye. Retinal blood flow data was obtained using confocal scanning laser Doppler flowmetry [Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter (HRF)]. Color Doppler imaging (CDI) was used to assess retrobulbar hemodynamics in the ophthalmic, central retinal, short nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries. Baseline vision and hemodynamics in post-menopausal subjects were compared using paired Student's t tests, and the percentage change in baseline versus 3-month parameters was analyzed.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between 3 months of raloxifene therapy and placebo in terms of age, HR, arterial or mean BP, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, IOP or retinal or retrobulbar blood flow.


CONCLUSIONS
Raloxifene therapy at 60 mg/day had no clinically significant impact on BP, IOP or OBF in post-menopausal women.
Siesky
Brent
B
Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Harris
Alon
A
Kheradiya
Nisha
N
Ehrlich
Rita
R
Klaas
Carissa
C
Kaplan
Boaris
B
Catoira
Yara
Y
McCranor
Lynne
L
Rospigliosi
Carlos
C
Harris
Mira
M
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride