J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2009 May;50(5):738-742. 10.3341/jkos.2009.50.5.738.

Comparison of the Central Retinal Vessel Diameter Between Glaucomatous and Normal Eye

• Chang MW
• Kim YY

• KMID: 2212312
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2009.50.5.738

Abstract

PURPOSE:To compare the diameter of central retinal vessels between patients with normal-tension glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma and healthy (control) eyes.
METHODS
The authors reviewed 30 eyes of 30 normal-tension glaucoma patients, 20 eyes of 20 primary open-angle glaucoma patients and 30 eyes of normal persons who had no systemic vascular diseases. The diameters of the central retinal arteries and veins were measured and calculated using a revised Parr-Hubbard formula, and results were compared between the groups.
RESULTS
The diameter of the central retinal vessel showed no statistical differences between the eyes with normal-tension glaucoma and primary-open angle glaucoma. However, there were significant differences between the eyes of patients with glaucoma and the normal control eyes (p<0.05). Conclusion: The diameter of the central retinal vessels in glaucoma patients were narrower than that in the control group. Our results suggest that the diameter of the central retinal vessels may affect the development of glaucoma both in normal tension and primary open-angle types, or that glaucomatous damage may influence the diameter of the central retinal vessels.

Keyword

Central retinal vessel diameter; Normal tension glaucoma; Open angle glaucoma

MeSH Terms

Eye
Glaucoma
Glaucoma, Open-Angle
Glycosaminoglycans
Humans
Low Tension Glaucoma
Retinal Artery
Retinal Vessels
Retinaldehyde
Vascular Diseases
Veins
Glycosaminoglycans
Retinaldehyde

Figure

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  Figure 1. Digitized retinal photograph. Zone (A) is a half-disc diameter from the optic disc margin and Zone B is a half-disc to one and half-disc diameter from the optic disc margin. Retinal vessel diameter measurements are performed in Zone (B).

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  Figure 2. Comparison of the vessel diameters between 3 groups. Both CRAE and CRVE were significantly narrower in NTG and POAG group than innormal group. But there was no significant difference between NTG and POAG groups. *P<0.05 with multiple comparison test (Tukey B test).

Reference

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