Intraocular Pressure Reduction Is Associated with Reduced Venous Pulsation Pressure

PLoS One. 2016 Jan 29;11(1):e0147915. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147915. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore whether alterations in intraocular pressure (IOP) affect vein pulsation properties using ophthalmodynamometric measures of vein pulsation pressure.

Patients and methods: Glaucoma patients had two retinal vein pulsation pressure (VPP) measurements from upper and lower hemiveins performed by ophthalmodynamometry at least 3 months apart. All subjects had VPP and IOP recorded at two visits, with standard automated perimetry, central corneal thickness (CCT) recorded at the initial visit. Where venous pulsation was spontaneous ophthalmodynamometry could not be performed and VPP was considered equal to IOP. Change in VPP was calculated and binarized with reduction in pressure scored 1 and no change or increase scored as 0. Data analysis used a mixed logistic regression model with change in VPP as response variable and change in IOP, visual field loss (mean deviation), CCT and time interval as explanatory variables.

Results: 31 subjects (20 females) with mean age 60 years (sd 11) were examined with change in VPP being significantly associated with change in IOP (odds ratio 1.6/mmHg, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.1 in the glaucoma patients but not suspect patients (p = 0.0005).

Conclusion: Change in VPP is strongly associated with change in IOP such that a reduced intraocular pressure is associated with a subsequent reduction in VPP. This indicates that reduced IOP alters some retinal vein properties however the nature and time course of these changes is not known.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cornea / blood supply*
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Corneal Pachymetry
  • Female
  • Glaucoma / diagnosis*
  • Glaucoma / pathology
  • Glaucoma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmodynamometry
  • Pulsatile Flow
  • Retinal Vein / physiopathology
  • Tonometry, Ocular
  • Visual Fields

Grants and funding

This work was supported by The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia (NHMRC Project Grant 1020367) (https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/) (WHM D-YY). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.