Glaucoma Surgery and Ocular Blood Flow in Colour Doppler Imaging: Is There a Link?

Abstract

Mateusz Zarzecki,1 Iwona Obuchowska,1 Andrzej Ustymowicz,2 Joanna Konopińska1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 2Department of Radiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, PolandCorrespondence: Joanna Konopińska, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness worldwide. This disease is characterised by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and the concomitant disruption of ocular haemodynamic. Several studies have demonstrated that trabeculectomy is associated with changes in extraocular blood flow. In this study, we reviewed the available evidence on the use of colour Doppler imaging to evaluate and manage patients with open-angle glaucoma. We present the detailed anatomy of ocular blood flow to provide a background for the research findings. We also discuss the physiological foundations of ocular blood flow and detailed flow characteristics of specific extraocular vessels. Finally, we reviewed published studies that analysed the effects of glaucoma surgery on the blood flow parameters of the eye.Keywords: glaucoma, colour doppler, trabeculectomy, deep sclerectomy

Keywords

• glaucoma
• colour doppler
• trabeculectomy
• deep sclerectomy