PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and peripapillary retinal vessel width and visual field (VF) defect progression in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. METHODS: All patients were classified by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring as non-dipper (nocturnal dip < 10%) and dipper (nocturnal dip ≥ 10%) group. Vessel diameter, mean deviation (MD) value by VF test and VF progression from Glaucoma Progression Analysis (GPA) were compared among non-dipper and dipper groups. RESULTS: Retinal arterial diameter was wider in the non-dipper group compared to the dipper group (p = 0.015), while retinal venous diameter had no significant relationship between the two groups (p = 0.131). The MD value at baseline and 2 years after was worse in the non-dipper group than the dipper group, respectively (p = 0.006, p = 0.030). But, there was no significant relationship between nocturnal dip and GPA progression (p = 0.658). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant correlation between nocturnal dips and retinal arterial diameter and MD values. These results suggest that non-invasive fundus photography can predict hemodynamic features like nocturnal dip.
Blood Pressure* ; Glaucoma ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Low Tension Glaucoma* ; Photography ; Retinal Vessels* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Visual Fields*

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference (TLCPD) and morphologic parameters of optic disc (OD) in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. METHODS: Data from 31 NTG patients (31 eyes) and 29 controls (29 eyes) were analyzed retrospectively. Their cerebrospinal fluid pressure was estimated using diastolic pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI) and age. TLCPD was defined as the difference of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (ECSFP). Measurements of the rim area (RA), disc area (DA), average and vertical cup/disc (C/D) ratio, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and cup volume (CV) were taken for all patients using optical coherence tomography. The correlation between TLCPD and morphologic parameters of OD were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, DBP, IOP and spherical equivalent (SE) and BMI. The mean ECSFP was significantly higher in the controls (10.7 ± 2.8 vs. 12.2 ± 2.2 mm Hg, p = 0.031) and TLCPD was significantly higher in patients (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 4.9 ± 3.7 mm Hg, p = 0.002). In the NTG group, there was a negative correlation between TLCPD and RA (r = -0.595) and positive correlations between TLCPD and the average C/D ratio (r = 0.504), vertical C/D ratio (r = 0.434) and CV (r = 0.420). Average RNLFT was also significantly correlated with TLCPD (r = -0.500) and RNFLT for four quadrants, except the nasal quadrant, in NTG patients. CONCLUSIONS: NTG patients had higher TLCPD. A higher TLCPD was associated with a narrower RA, larger C/D ratio, and thinner RNFLT.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma* ; Nerve Fibers ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: Non-intraocular pressure (IOP) factors such as vascular factors have been identified as contributing to normal tension glaucoma. However, there is not an established range of haemorheological factors considered normal, nor are there standardized tests. In this study, we investigated differences in blood viscosity and haemorheological parameters between patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and normal controls using a new instrument called the BVD-RO1 (BIO-VISCO. Inc., Jeonju, Korea). METHODS: Twenty patients with NTG and 20 age-matched normal controls were included in the study. Haemorheological parameters of the venous blood samples, including blood viscosity at the shear rates of 300 (high shear rate) and 1 (low shear rate) s-1 were measured using an automated scanning capillary tube viscometer. RESULTS: More hematocrit concentration was detected in the NTG group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, higher blood viscosities at the high (p < 0.01) and low (p < 0.01) shear rates were found in the NTG group. CONCLUSIONS: The NTG patients differed in blood viscosity with the control group. This may signify the importance of hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of NTG.
Blood Viscosity* ; Capillaries ; Hematocrit ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Low Tension Glaucoma*

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of a delay in finger temperature recovery rate on the hand cold provocation test (HCPT) and a nocturnal dip greater than 10% (dipper) on the progression of glaucomatous visual field (VF) defects in open-angle glaucoma patients when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was well controlled lower than the target pressure. METHODS: 30 patients (58 eyes) with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and 13 patients (24 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma, and 12 normal controls (24 eyes) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. We performed HCPT, 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-hr ABPM), Goldmann applanation tonometer measurements, and VF tests on all subjects. The delay in finger temperature recovery rate was defined as a delay longer than 15% of the mean finger temperature of normal controls over 2 intervals among 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after the immersion of cold water. We examined the relationships among the delay in finger temperature recovery rate, dipper, and the progression of glaucomatous VF defects. RESULTS: The finger temperature recovery rate in NTG patients was significantly delayed more than that of normal controls at 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the immersion. The delay in finger temperature recovery rate significantly correlated with dipper in NTG patients. Glaucomatous VF defects were significantly progressed in the presence of dipper in NTG patients. Delay in finger temperature recovery rate was significantly related to the progression of glaucomatous VF defects in NTG patients. In the binary logistic regression test, delay in finger temperature recovery rate was the only factor that was strongly related to the progression of glaucomatous visual field in NTG patients. CONCLUSIONS: When glaucomatous VF defects progressed despite the IOP being well controlled, 24-hr ABPM and HCPT for detecting vascular dysregulation might be helpful for diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Diagnosis ; Fingers* ; Glaucoma* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Hand ; Humans ; Immersion ; Intraocular Pressure ; Logistic Models ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Fields ; Water

PURPOSE: To compare the macular choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness among normal, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients using RTVue (Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients was performed. Choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were compared among normal controls, POAG and NTG subjects. Additionally, the factors influencing choroidal thickness (age, axial length, spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness, mean deviation, nocturnal dip, blood pressure variability) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients were enrolled in this study. Macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG patients. In NTG subjects, the significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age and axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in NTG patients compared with normal controls and POAG patients. Factors influencing choroidal thickness in NTG patients were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant factors influencing choroidal thickness were age and axial length.
Blood Pressure ; Choroid* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Nerve Fibers ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To compare the macular choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness among normal, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients using RTVue (Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients was performed. Choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were compared among normal controls, POAG and NTG subjects. Additionally, the factors influencing choroidal thickness (age, axial length, spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness, mean deviation, nocturnal dip, blood pressure variability) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients were enrolled in this study. Macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG patients. In NTG subjects, the significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age and axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in NTG patients compared with normal controls and POAG patients. Factors influencing choroidal thickness in NTG patients were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant factors influencing choroidal thickness were age and axial length.
Blood Pressure ; Choroid* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Nerve Fibers ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of water-shed zone (WSZ) and nocturnal dip (ND) on the progression of the glaucomatous visual field (V/F) defects in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained under the target pressure. METHODS: We performed fluorescence angiography (FAG), 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-hr ABPM), and V/F tests. We examined the relationships among WSZ in early-FAG, ND over 10% (dip), and the progression of the glaucomatous V/F defects using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and multivariate logistic regression tests. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: When considering the correlation between WSZ and dip, statistical significance was found in OAG (p = 0.024, odds ratio (OR) = 3.308) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) (p = 0.029, OR = 4.364) patients. In patients with dip, glaucomatous V/F defects significantly progressed (OAG: p = 0.003, OR = 5.938, NTG: p = 0.005, OR = 13.929). In patients with WSZ, the glaucomatous V/F defects progressed in all groups (OAG: p = 0.002, OR = 5.156, NTG: p = 0.024, OR = 4.750, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG): p = 0.021, OR = 8.750). In the patients with WSZ involving optic nerve head, the glaucomatous V/F defects had progressed in OAG (p = 0.004, OR = 5.958) and NTG (p = 0.009, OR = 8.333) groups. Based on binary logistic regression analysis, dip (p = 0.010, OR = 6.227) significantly affected V/F progression only in OAG patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the OAG and NTG groups, ND over 10% influenced the progression of the glaucomatous V/F defects. The patients with WSZ tended to have ND over 10% in OAG and NTG groups and glaucomatous V/F defects progressed in all patients. Therefore, performing early FAG and 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be helpful for glaucoma patients with progressing glaucomatous V/F defects even when the IOP was maintained under the target pressure.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Logistic Models ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Odds Ratio ; Optic Disk ; Visual Fields*

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of nocturnal dip, carotid artery blood flow, and brain ischemic change on the progression of glaucomatous visual field defect in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) when IOP is less than the target pressure. METHODS: We classified OAG patients (74 patients, 148 eyes) who maintained IOP less than the target pressure as normal tension glaucoma (NTG; 52 patients, 104 eyes) or primary OAG (POAG; 22 patients, 44 eyes). Additionally, we performed 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-hr ABPM), carotid artery color Doppler U/S (CAD), brain MRI, and visual field (V/F) tests on the patients. Nocturnal dips less than 10% were classified as non-dippers, and dips greater than 10% as dippers. The relationships among nocturnal dip, carotid artery blood flow, brain ischemic change, and progression of glaucomatous V/F defect were examined. RESULTS: In the case of dippers, glaucomatous V/F defects were aggravated, with a relative risk of approximately 1.74 (NTG) and 2.91 (POAG) times that of non-dippers. In NTG, decreased carotid artery blood flow and brain ischemic change furthered glaucomatous V/F defects, with a relative risk of approximately 2.40 and 2.54 times that of normal carotid artery blood flow and brain MRI findings, respectively. However, in POAG, decreased carotid artery blood flow and brain ischemic change were not influenced by the progression of glaucomatous V/F defects. CONCLUSIONS: In dippers, decreased carotid artery blood flow and brain ischemic change caused a progression of glaucomatous V/F defects in NTG and POAG patients. Thus, performing 24-hr ABPM, CAD, and brain MRI should be helpful for glaucoma patients with progression of glaucomatous V/F defects even when the IOP is less than the target pressure. In addition, this analysis provides useful information regarding glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Arteries ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Salicylates ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Based on the vascular theory of glaucoma pathogenesis, we wanted to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on peripapillary blood flow in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Thirty patients with NTG were randomly placed in the GBE-treated or control groups. The GBE-treated group received 80 mg GBE orally, twice a day for four weeks, and the control group received a placebo twice a day for four weeks. Complete ocular examinations including visual field, Heidelberg retina flowmeter, and systemic examinations were performed on the first study day and on the day treatment was completed. RESULTS: After GBE treatment, the mean blood flow, volume, and velocity increased at almost all points, and there was a statistically significant increase in blood flow at almost all points, in comparison to the placebo. Blood volume significantly increased only in the superior nasal and superior temporal neuroretinal rim areas. GBE also significantly increased blood velocity in areas of the inferior temporal neuroretinal rim and superior temporal peripapillary area. CONCLUSIONS: GBE administration appears to have desirable effect on ocular blood flow in NTG patients.
Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; *Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Low Tension Glaucoma/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Male ; Optic Disk/blood supply ; Phytotherapy/*methods ; Plant Extracts/*therapeutic use ; Regional Blood Flow/*drug effects ; Retina/*physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Based on the vascular theory of glaucoma pathogenesis, we wanted to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on peripapillary blood flow in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Thirty patients with NTG were randomly placed in the GBE-treated or control groups. The GBE-treated group received 80 mg GBE orally, twice a day for four weeks, and the control group received a placebo twice a day for four weeks. Complete ocular examinations including visual field, Heidelberg retina flowmeter, and systemic examinations were performed on the first study day and on the day treatment was completed. RESULTS: After GBE treatment, the mean blood flow, volume, and velocity increased at almost all points, and there was a statistically significant increase in blood flow at almost all points, in comparison to the placebo. Blood volume significantly increased only in the superior nasal and superior temporal neuroretinal rim areas. GBE also significantly increased blood velocity in areas of the inferior temporal neuroretinal rim and superior temporal peripapillary area. CONCLUSIONS: GBE administration appears to have desirable effect on ocular blood flow in NTG patients.
Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; *Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Low Tension Glaucoma/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Male ; Optic Disk/blood supply ; Phytotherapy/*methods ; Plant Extracts/*therapeutic use ; Regional Blood Flow/*drug effects ; Retina/*physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Visual Fields