ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to concisely summarize what is currently known about OAG among persons of LAD in the United States for the purpose of improving individualized care and highlighting areas requiring further study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of relevant literature was performed through PubMed and Google Scholar from October 1978 through November 11, 2019. RESULTS: As the Latin American population grows within the United States, it is predicted that by 2050, men of LAD will make up the largest demographic group with OAG. Persons of LAD experience a greater increase in OAG prevalence per decade of life compared with persons of African descent and may have unique risk factors. In particular, those with African ancestry and hypertension are at greater risk of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Maximum IOP, variability in IOP, and diabetes are also important considerations. Unique anatomic and physiological characteristics such as scleral tensile strain, longer axial length, thin corneas, and corneal hysteresis may play a role in this population's unique risk for the development and progression of OAG. CONCLUSIONS: OAG represents a growing concern among persons of LAD in the United States; however, information on specific risk factors in this population currently remains limited. Studies should be designed to investigate the LAD population and their respective structural, vascular, and social risk factors for the development and progression of OAG to assist clinicians in improving outcomes for this growing population.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma, Open-Angle/ethnology , Hispanic or Latino , Adult , Aged , Female , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/diagnosis , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/physiopathology , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/physiopathology , Intraocular Pressure/physiology , Latin America/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The relationship between ocular haemodynamics and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has not been fully understood. Reductions in blood flow have been established in RP patients by a variety of studies; however, questions have yet to be answered regarding the role of vascular dysfunction in photoreceptors (PR) degeneration, the causes of vascular dysfunction in RP, as well as the diagnostic, prognostic and perhaps therapeutic potential of measuring ocular haemodynamics in RP patients. While significant evidence supports the theory that vascular dysfunction is associated with but not the cause of PR death in retinitis pigmentosa, evidence suggests that vascular abnormalities in the foveal and parafoveal regions may exacerbate cone cell loss. Additional evidence demonstrates that vascular dysfunction likely results from changes in metabolic demand due to death of PR cells in the retina. Detection and monitoring of ocular blood flow, retinal oxygen saturation, endothelin-1 levels and vascular structural abnormalities could provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential for patients with RP.
