Follow up of focal narrowing of retinal arterioles in glaucoma

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Abstract
AIM To evaluate whether focal narrowing of retinal arterioles increases with progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy. METHODS Focal narrowing of retinal arterioles and area of neuroretinal rim were morphometrically evaluated on colour stereo optic disc photographs of 59 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, 22 patients with normal pressure glaucoma, 11 patients with secondary open angle glaucoma, and 31 patients with ocular hypertension. Minimum follow up was 8 months. Focal arteriolar narrowing was quantified by calculating the ratio of the vessel width in the broadest to the narrowest vessel part. RESULTS In the subgroup of patients with progressive glaucomatous optic nerve damage (n=37), focal narrowing of retinal arterioles increased significantly (pCONCLUSIONS Focal narrowing of retinal arterioles increases significantly with progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy, independent of the type of glaucoma. It is stable in patients with non-progressive glaucoma. The findings agree with previous reports on a higher degree of focal arteriole narrowing in eyes with pronounced optic nerve damage in comparison with those with moderate optic nerve atrophy or normal eyes. In the clinical management of patients with glaucoma, in some eyes, increasing focal arteriole narrowing may suggest progression of disease.