title: Changes in the retrobulbar arterial circulation after decrease of elevated intraocular pressue in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An altered perfusion of the optic nerve head has been proposed as a pathogenic factor in glaucoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate changes of haemodynamic parameters in the retrobulbar arterial circulation after a decrease of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients were examined, 14 men and 12 women, 21 up to 50 years old and 5 below, all with previously diagnosed and treated POAG, and all examined at the Eye Clinic, Clinical Centre of Serbia. IOP was measured both with a Goldmann aplanation tonometer and dynamic contour tonometer. Central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasound pachymeter. Imaging of the retrobulbar arterial circulation by colour Doppler was performed at the Neurology Clinic, Clinical Centre of Serbia. It involved measuring of haemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary arteries. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured, and resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Haemodynamic arterial parameters PSV and EDV in the ophthalmic and central retinal artery after decrease of IOP were lower, while RI and PI were higher. In the posterior ciliary arteries PSV, EDV and PI were lower, and RI was higher.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes of the retrobulbar arterial circulation after elevated LOP in POAG patients are important for approach and treatment, while the role of vascular factors in the supplement of the optic disc neuroretinal rim could be a key for progression backlash of glaucoma and the radix of neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Eye Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Pasterova 2 St, 11000 Belgrade. ivanmarjanovic007@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marjanović
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sundić
authors.forename: Milija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mijajlović
authors.forename: Nadezda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Covicković-Sternić
authors.forename: Djordje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kontić
authors.forename: Paraskeva
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hentova-Senćanić
authors.forename: Vujica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marković
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozić
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knezević
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D055815:Young Adult