Color Doppler imaging of retrobulbar circulation in glaucoma

Abstract

Blood flow velocities and resistance indices of ophthalmic (OA), central retinal (CRA) and temporal short posterior ciliary arteries (TSPCA) were evaluated with color Doppler imaging (CDI) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normotensive glaucoma (NTG). End-diastolic and peak systolic velocities of CRA and TSPCA were significantly lowered in both glaucoma groups (p < 0.05), and resistance indices significantly raised (p < 0.05). Impaired retrobulbar circulation seems to play an important role in the development of glaucomatous optic nerve damage, and CDI is an easy, non-invasive and reproducible method in evaluating such patients.