If glaucoma damage develops despite normal intraocular pressure or if the damage progresses despite well-controlled intraocular pressure, we usually find other risk factors. One important group are the vascular factors. We should focus not only on the classical risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as arterial hypertension or dyslipidaemia, but also on dysregulation of blood flow, especially on primary vascular dysregulation (PVD). Low blood pressure, either current or in adolescence, low body mass index or frequently cold hands and feet may provide important hints. Very often PVD is coupled with a number of other symptoms and signs, and we then speak of a Flammer Syndrome (FS). If there is any indication of FS, we take a targeted patient history, undertake 24 h blood pressure monitoring, measure retinal venous pressure, and perform a dynamic retinal vessel analysis or nail fold capillary microscopy. This is especially recommended if the patient is relatively young or the damage is progressing rapidly. If the suspicion is confirmed, we then try to reduce the drops in blood pressure, lower the retinal venous pressure, improve the regulation of blood flow and reduce the oxidative stress in the mitochondria.
Keyphrases
- blood flow
- blood pressure
- oxidative stress
- case report
- risk factors
- optical coherence tomography
- optic nerve
- body mass index
- diabetic retinopathy
- hypertensive patients
- arterial hypertension
- dna damage
- cell death
- high resolution
- type diabetes
- pulmonary embolism
- cancer therapy
- adipose tissue
- blood glucose
- metabolic syndrome
- middle aged
- skeletal muscle
- drug delivery
- endoplasmic reticulum
- glycemic control