Ocular Hemodynamic Effects of Nitrovasodilators in Healthy Subjects
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1999-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, is associated with increased
intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic nerve head ischemia. Nitrovasodilators are discussed in
the treatment of glaucoma. Nitrates relax smooth muscle cells in the vasculature by
liberating the vasodilator nitric oxide.
The IOP lowering potential and the vasodilator action in retinal and choroidal vessels of
nitrates is still a matter of controversy. Previous studies on the ocular hemodynamic effects
of nitrates showed partially contradicting results. In addition the IOP lowering effect of
nitrates is still unclear. However, recent studies show that long acting nitrates may
preserve optic nerve deterioration and visual field loss.
Therefore, the role of nitrovasodilators in control of ocular blood flow and intraocular
pressure has to be elucidated. For this purpose the investigators plan to test the hypothesis
that nitrovasodilators improve ocular blood supply to the optic nerve head at doses which do
not affect systemic hemodynamics.