title: Observations on degenerative changes within the optic nerve in patients with primary open glaucoma and arterial hypertension: 6-month follow-up.
abstract: The authors aimed to determine the effect of the time of hypotensive drug administration on the progress of degenerative changes within the optic nerve in patients with hypertension and glaucoma. Two groups were included in the study: group A comprised patients-dippers taking drugs in the mornings, and group B comprised patients-nondippers taking drugs both in the mornings and in the evenings. After 6 months, group B showed significant drops in nocturnal diastolic blood pressure (BP) (month 1=73.27 mm Hg vs month 6=67.50 mm Hg), nocturnal mean BP (89.34 vs 84.65 mm Hg), and minimum diastolic BP (50.74 vs 44.03 mm Hg). Group B also showed significant reductions in nocturnal ocular perfusion pressure (43.0 vs 39.73), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (131.31 vs 113.12 μm), and flow in the eye vessels. Taking hypotensive drugs in the evening may significantly decrease blood flow in the eye arteries, cause degenerative changes within the optic nerves, and result in greater loss in the field of vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hypertension and Vascular and Internal Diseases, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. bkrasinska@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krasińska
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karolczak-Kulesza
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krasiński
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Głuszek
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tykarski
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents