Ocular pulse amplitude in ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma

The present study was designed to investigate choroidal perfusion in primary open-angle glaucoma patients with statistically elevated (HPG) and statistically normal (NPG) intraocular pressure (IOP) and in ocular hypertensive volunteers (OHT) before and after application of topical antiglaucomatous drugs. When compared to age-matched healthy controls, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) and IOP were significantly increased in OHT and unchanged in HPG; in NPG, the IOP was unchanged, and the OPA was significantly reduced. The topical antiglaucomatous drugs used in this study reduced IOP, but did not increase OPA. When compared to HPG and NPG, OHT subjects showed increased choroidal perfusion which may help to prevent glaucomatous optic nerve damage.