Purpose
Reduction of short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) hemodynamics and
ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), a measure of choroidal perfusion and an increase
in endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor are associated with
progression of glaucomatous damage. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of 2
topical antiglaucomatous agents on SPCA and choroidal vascular systems in
primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.
Methods
The influence of the docosanoid unoprostone (UIOS) and the PGF2alpha analogue
latanoprost (LOS), both drugs being administered as adjunct to timolol, on SPCA
(Elegra Advanced System, Siemens, Germany), OPA (OBF-System, OBF Labs UK),
serum ET-1 (ELISA, R&D Systems, Germany), IOP, and systemic perfusion
parameters was investigated in both eyes of 23 POAG patients. Measurements were
taken before and 4 weeks after application of respective drugs.
Results
(mean ± SD) When compared to pretreatment values OPA (mmHg) was significantly
(sig., p= 0.001) decreased in LOS (2.20 ± 0.37 / 2.03 ± 0.34) and borderline
sig. (p= 0.062) increased in UIOS (2.13 ± 0.38 / 2.20 ± 0.40) treated eyes.
ET-1 (pg/ml) was borderline sig. (p= 0.056) increased in latanoprost (0.62 ±
0.19 / 0.75 ± 0.18) and unchanged (p= 0.951) in UIOS (0.79 ± 0.23 / 0.79 ±
0.29) treated eyes. SPCA perfusion parameters (peak systolic and enddiastolic
velocities, pulsatility and resistance indexes and systemic perfusion
parameters were not sig. (p> 0.05) altered in either group.
Conclusion
LOS reduces OPA and increases ET-1, whereas UIOS with its 22 carbon structure
has a favorable effect on ocular hemodynamics.