Vascular Risk Factors for Open Angle Glaucoma in African Eyes

Context : The exact patho physiological mechanizm of optic nerve damage in glaucoma is not fully understood. Aim : To assess the vascular risk factors in open angle glaucoma in African eyes. Settings and Design : Prospective multicenter hospital-based study in Edo State; Nigeria. Materials and Methods : Three hundred and twenty-two glaucoma patients and 184 control subjects were included in the study comprising 200 male glaucoma patients (62.11) and 122 females (37.89). A cohort of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma and age and sex matched control subjects were included in this prospective; cross-sectional; and multicenter hospital-based study conducted during the period January-June 2008. Blood pressure (BP); pulse and intraocular pressure findings were recorded and mean BP; pulse and perfusion pressure for each eye calculated. Statistical Analysis Used : Mean; standard deviations; 95confidence intervals; Welch's t test; and Fisher's exact test were calculated. Results : The mean IOP in the 644 eyes of the 322 glaucoma patients was 22.65 mmHg (SD plus/minus 11.06). The systolic blood pressure (P 0.0001); diastolic blood pressure (P 0.0001); mean arterial blood pressure (P 0.0001); pulse pressure (P 0.01); systolic perfusion pressure (P 0.01) were all significantly higher in glaucoma patients than in control. Conclusions : Higher systolic; diastolic; mean arterial BP and pulse pressure was found in Black African patients with open angle glaucoma

A review of the changes in the ophthalmic and visual system in pregnancy

Pregnancy is often associated with ocular changes which may be more commonly transient but occasionally, permanent. It may be associated with the development of new ocular conditions, or can exacerbate pre-existing conditions. The ocular effects of pregnancy may be physiological or pathological or may be modifications of pre-existing conditions. Adnexial changes include chloasma, spider angiomas and ptosis. Anterior segment changes include a decrease in conjunctival capillaries and an increase in the granularity of conjunctival venules and in corneal curvature, changes in corneal thickness, refractive index, accommodation and refractive errors, and a decrease in intraocular pressure. Posterior segment changes include worsening of diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, increased risk of peripheral vitreochorioretinal dystrophies and retinal detachment, and a beneficial effect on non-infectious uveitis. Systemic disorders of importance include preeclampsia, Graves disease and multiple sclerosis. Intracranial disorders with ocular effects in pregnancy include Pseudotumor cerebri, prolactinomas and Sheehan's syndrome (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[3]:185-196)