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Management of Blood Pressure in Patients with Glaucoma

  • Hypertension (DS Geller and DL Cohen, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) is defined as the difference between BP and intraocular pressure (IOP). With low BP comes low OPP and resultant ischemic damage to the optic nerve, leading to glaucoma progression. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on BP as it relates to glaucoma and to create a forum of discussion between ophthalmologists and internal medicine specialists.

Recent Findings

Both high and low BP has been linked glaucoma. Low BP is particularly associated with glaucoma progression in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. Patients who have low nighttime BP readings are at highest risk of progression of their glaucoma.

Summary

Internal medicine specialists and ophthalmologists should consider the relationship between BP and glaucoma when treating patients with concomitant disease. Too-low nighttime BP should be avoided. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a useful tool to identify patients at greatest risk for progression.

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  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Russell M. Levine, Alina Yang, Venkatesh Brahma & James F. Martone

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  1. Russell M. Levine
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Russell M. Levine, Alina Yang, Venkatesh Brahma, and James F. Martone declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Levine, R.M., Yang, A., Brahma, V. et al. Management of Blood Pressure in Patients with Glaucoma. Curr Cardiol Rep 19, 109 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-017-0927-x

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