Ocular pulse amplitude and associated glaucomatous risk factors in a healthy Hispanic population.
BACKGROUND
With increasing evidence that vascular risk factors play a role in the development of glaucoma, it is critical to be familiar with factors related to intraocular blood flow, such as the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA). This study evaluates OPA and factors related to it in a healthy, Hispanic population.


METHODS
Refractive error, corneal curvature, Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), OPA, axial length, and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements were obtained on 104 Hispanic subjects recruited from the community.


RESULTS
OPA ranged from 0.7 to 4.7 mmHg (mean, 2.1 +/- 0.8 mmHg) and showed a significant correlation with refractive error, axial length, GAT, and DCT (r=0.250, -0.358, 0.460, 0.378; P=0.011, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Mean intraocular pressure with GAT was 15.6 mmHg. Mean CCT was 541.2 microm. The average refractive error was 0.75 diopters (D) of myopia, with 25% having >1.00 D myopia.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal OPA values have not been studied in Hispanic populations. OPA is thought to provide information regarding ocular blood flow; however, more studies are needed to determine its significance in glaucoma treatment.
Erickson
Dina H
DH
Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116, USA. derickson@pacificu.edu
Goodwin
Denise
D
Anderson
Chad
C
Hayes
John R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D055815:Young Adult