A color Doppler analysis of nifedipine-induced posterior ocular blood flow changes in open-angle glaucoma

J Glaucoma. 1997 Aug;6(4):231-6.

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study used color Doppler imaging to investigate the effects of nifedipine on the posterior ocular blood flow of patients with glaucoma progression at normal intraocular pressures.

Patients and methods: Eighteen patients, 11 men and seven women with a median age of 61.7 years, were imaged before and 6 weeks after the initiation of 30 mg of sustained-release nifedipine (Procardia XL; produced by either Pfizer or Pratt) daily.

Results: There was no statistically significant change in the blood velocity of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and main nasal and temporal short posterior ciliary arteries after treatment with nifedipine.

Conclusion: The routine use of nifedipine in patients with normal tension glaucoma progression is not supported by this study.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Flow Velocity / drug effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / diagnostic imaging
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nifedipine / therapeutic use*
  • Ophthalmic Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Ophthalmic Artery / drug effects
  • Ophthalmic Artery / physiopathology
  • Optic Disk / blood supply*
  • Optic Disk / diagnostic imaging
  • Optic Nerve / blood supply
  • Optic Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Pilot Projects
  • Retinal Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Retinal Artery / drug effects
  • Retinal Artery / physiopathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / methods*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Nifedipine