Clinical Study
Eye (2006) 20, 668–673. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701935; published online 3 June 2005
Volumetric colour Doppler imaging: a useful tool for the determination of ocular blood flow in glaucoma patients?
O Zeitz1,3, S E Vilchez1,2,3, E T Matthiessen1, G Richard1 and M Klemm1
- 1Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Hamburg, Germany
- 2Centro Oftalmológico del Noroeste, Los Mochis, México
Correspondence: O Zeitz, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg D- 20246, Germany. Tel: +49 040 42803 2350; Fax: +49 040 42803 4906; E-mail: zeitz@uke.uni-hamburg.de
3Both these authors contributed equally
Received 12 November 2004; Accepted 12 April 2005; Published online 3 June 2005.
Abstract
Purpose
Disturbed ocular haemodynamics are discussed to contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Up to now there is no method available allowing direct determination of blood flow, which is the most relevant dimension for studies on haemodynamics. In this study, volumetric colour Doppler imaging (vCDI) is evaluated systematically in glaucoma patients.
Methods
A Siemens Elegra ultrasound set-up with a linear 7.5 MHz probe was used for all CDI measurements. For vCDI, the cross-sectional area of a vessel and the flow velocity is determined. From both these parameters blood flow can be calculated. Ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) was assessed by the method of Langham using a pneumatic applanation tonometer.
Results
(1) Velocity measurements using CDI in the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery were highly reproducible (n=20). In contrast, reproducibility of vCDI measurements was low (n=20). Reproducibility improved if five vCDI measures were averaged. (2) Results from two different CDI-operators did not differ regarding the velocity measurements, but there was a difference in vCDI measurements (n=20). (3) Results from vCDI did not correlate with measurements of OPA in 69 patients. (4) In 15 patients, vCDI failed to detect changes of ocular perfusion induced by the application of dorzolamide.
Conclusion
vCDI is not applicable in ophthalmology at present.
Keywords:
colour Doppler imaging, glaucoma, dorzolamide
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