European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Glaucoma represents a group of diseases characterised by optic neuropathy which is consistent with remodelling of the connective tissue elements of the optic nerve head and with loss of neural tissue which leads to the eventual development of distinctive patterns of visual dysfunction. Although the intraocular pressure level is one of the primary risk factors for development of glaucoma, it does not have a role in the definition of the disease.
Aims: To evaluate the relationship between blood pressure, intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in patients with systemic hypertension.
Material and Methods: We studied 400 eyes of 200 hypertensive patients and compared them with 200 eyes of 100 non-hypertensive control subjects. We had aimed at finding the relation between blood pressure, intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in hypertensive patients and assessing the risk factors for developing primary open angle glaucoma in hypertensive patients.
Result:

Mean Intra Ocular pressure in hypertensive patient is higher than that of non hypertensive patient's  P<0.001
Mean ocular perfusion pressure is higher in hypertensive patients than non hypertensive patient's P<0.001
Intra ocular pressure has correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Intraocular pressure has correlation with Diastolic ocular Perfusion pressure and mean ocular perfusion pressure with mean ocular perfusion pressure having positive correlation with Diastolic blood pressure and negative correlation with glocoma status.

Conclusion: A positive association exists between blood pressure and intraocular pressure, but similar association could not be established between blood pressure and primary open angle glaucoma. A significant association was seen between low diastolic blood pressure, low diastolic ocular perfusion pressure, low mean ocular perfusion pressure and glaucoma