Abstract: Background: Glaucoma is currently attributed to two different possible pathogenetic mechanisms: mechanical (the ocular damage is induced by physical injury), and vascular (the ocular damage is sustained by ischemia of the optic nerve head). Aim: We considered the possibility that several anti-glaucoma drugs (β-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and prostaglandins) could have an influence on optic nerve head hemorheology and oxygen supply. Materials and method: We studied 4 groups of 10 subjects each: a control group, and 3 primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) groups, treated with topical β-blockers, (10 patients), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI), and prostaglandin analogs (PG), respectively. In these…4 groups we investigated the RBC surface AchE and cytosolic calcium levels in order to assess their possible influence on the hemorheology and microcirculation in optic nerve head blood perfusion. Results: A significant correlation (p<0.048) was found between the RBC surface acetylcholinesterase and RBC intracytosolic calcium values in patients with POAG treated with β-blockers. We found no significant correlation (p=n.s.) between the same patterns in the other Groups or in Controls. Conclusion: These data indicate that CAI and PG drugs do not interfere with AchE in POAG patients, whereas β-blockers negatively affect the RBC deformability.
Show more