The choroid and ocular blood flow in primary open-angle glaucoma associated with age macular degeneration
PURPOSE: To compare CT and ocular blood flow (OBF) parameters in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and combined pathology of primary open-angle glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (POAG+AMD). METHODS: 33 patients (age 69±4.7) with POAG+AMD, 31 with the same stage of POAG without AMD and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. There was no difference between age and axial eye length in all study groups. CT of the fovea, average ganglion cell complex thickness (GCCavg), focal ganglion cell loss volume (FLV), global ganglion cell loss volume (GLV) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) were measured by means of optical coherence tomography (RTVue-100 OCT, Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA). OBF was measured by Color Doppler Imaging (My Lab 70 Esaote). The statistical analysis included a comparison between CT, GCC, RNFLT and OBF parameters (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant CT reduction was revealed in POAG+AMD compared to POAG patients and the control group: 234.55±96.81 Mm, 294.56±95.3 Mm (p=0.003) and 308.9 Mm respectively. No statistically significant difference in the values of RNFL and GCCavg between glaucoma groups was found. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) in medial short posterior ciliary artery (mPCA) was reduced in POAG+AMD patients (7.61±5.35 cm/s) compared to the POAG group (12.81 ±2.62 cm/s; p=0.001). Both of the study groups revealed a correlation between CT and PSV in mPCA (0.4, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the significant role of the choroid and ocular blood flow in the development of a combined pathology of POAG and AMD. Both these medical conditions may have an adverse effect on each other.