Abstract

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

References

Discussion
Board

Purpose: to evaluate blood flow velocity of orbital vessels, IOP, arterial pressure and heart rate after 0.25% Betaxolol ophthalmic suspension, a potentially vasodilating selective betablocker. Subjects and Methods: in both eyes of twelve healthy volunteers and fourteen glaucoma patients after adequate washout measurements of peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistivity index (RI) of ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and medial short posterior ciliary artery (mSPCA) were taken by means of a LOGIQ 500 color doppler imaging unit equipped with a 7.5MHz transducer. Age ranged from 41 to 56 and from 42 to 59 years respectively in controls and glaucoma patients with minor visual field defects and no systemic diseases. The same CDI measurements were repeated two weeks after twice a day Betaxolol (Betoptic® S) eyedrops; IOP, blood pressure and heart rate were also remeasured. Results: no significant inter or intragroup difference was found between the PSV and RI in the three (OA, CRA, mSPCA) examined vessels before and after Betaxolol treatment both in controls and glaucoma patients. IOP significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in glaucoma patients; systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate did not change significantly in both groups before and after Betaxolol. Conclusions: the lack of significant change in blood velocity (and probably flow) in orbital vessels, arterial pressure and heart rate of both controls and glaucoma patients after Betaxolol suspension eyedrops indicates no or neglegible systemic absorption of the topically administrered IOP lowering drug.

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Presentation Number SAdoro0879
Keywords: color doppler, orbital vessels, betaxolol, glaucoma