The Relevance of Arterial Blood Pressure in the Management of Glaucoma Progression: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of global blindness and is expected to co-occur more frequently with vascular morbidities in the upcoming years, as both are aging-related diseases. Yet, the pathogenesis of glaucoma is not entirely elucidated and the interplay between intraocular pressure, arterial blood pressure (BP) and ocular perfusion pressure is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aims to provide clinicians with the latest literature regarding the management of arterial BP in glaucoma patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Articles written in English assessing the influence of arterial BP and systemic antihypertensive treatment of glaucoma and its management were eligible for inclusion. Additional studies were identified by revising references included in selected articles.

RESULTS

80 Articles were included in this systemic review. A bimodal relation between BP and glaucoma progression was found. Both high and low BP increase the risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma progression was, possibly via ocular perfusion pressure variation, strongly associated with nocturnal dipping and high variability in the BP over 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that systemic BP level associates with glaucomatous damage and provided recommendations for the management and study of arterial BP in glaucoma. Prospective clinical trials are needed to further support these recommendations.