[Effect of pentoxifylline on Doppler blood flow parameters in the central retinal artery and the short posterior ciliary arteries in adolescents with progressive myopia].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on blood flow in the central retinal artery and the short posterior ciliary arteries in patients with progressive myopia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

48 eyes of 24 healthy patients aged between 12 and 18 years (mean 15.1 years) with myopia from -5.0 to -12.75 Dsph (mean -7.56 Dsph), were examined using color Doppler ultrasonography. The examination was performed before and after 10 days of intravenous administration of 200 mg of pentoxifylline. The peak-systolic, end-diastolic flow velocities, pulsatility, resistance and systolic/diastolic ratios were measured.

RESULTS

The use of pentoxifylline significantly increased PSV and EDV in the central retinal artery and in the short posterior ciliary arteries (p=0.0001) in patients with progressive myopia and in the same time decreased PI, RI and S/D (p=0.0001). There was no correlation between Doppler blood flow parameters and dioptres or axial length.

CONCLUSIONS

pentoxifylline increases retinal and choroidal blood flow in young patients with progressive myopia.