Abstract
This study investigates the relationship of atrial fibrillation, systemic blood pressure and nerve fiber loss. 213 institutionalized glaucoma patients (mean age 83.9 years) and 100 control patients (mean age 81.8 years) were examined ophthalmologically and analyzed for blood pressure. A 12-lead electrocardiogram, analyzed according to the Minnesota code, was taken for 212 glaucoma patients and 100 control patients. 17% of the glaucoma patients had atrial fibrillation (AF), which was significantly more than in the control group (8%). Patients with AF had lower systolic blood pressures (mean 146.5mmHg) than the other patients (mean 153.7 mmHg). Visual acuity (VA) of the patients having AF was lower than that of the other patients. Severe visual field defects occurred more frequently in patients having AF (in 70% v.s. 42%). Patients with severe visual field defects and lower VA had lower systolic blood pressures than the patients with better visual fields and VA. 75% of geriatric glaucoma patients with AF and 64% of geriatric glaucoma patients without AF had intraocular pressures <18 mmHg. Atrial fibrillation and low systolic blood pressure are connected with impairment of ocular functions of geriatric glaucoma patients.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Demailly P, Cambien F, Plouin PF, Baron P, Chevallier B. Do patients with low tension glaucoma have particular cardiovascular characteristics? Ophthalmologica 1984; 188: 65–75.
Peräsalo R, Glaucoma in institutionalized geriatric patients. Helsinki, 1990: 97.
Rose GA, Blackburn H. Cardiovascular survey methods. WHO Monogr Ser 1968; 56: 1–188.
Niinistö L. The elderly at home and in permanent institutional care. Health Services Research by National Board of Health in Finland. Helsinki, 1987; No 46: 1–143.
Hedemud B, Laudhal S, Meileström D, Rundgren Á, Roupe S, Steen B. Electrocardiogram at age 70 and 75. A longitudinal study. I General presentation and findings. J Clin Exp Gerontol 1980; 2: 231–43.
Ruikka I, Aalto T, Juva K, Kallio V, Konu V, Kuusela V, Mattila K, Ojala T, Seppänen A, Sourander L, Tarkkanen P. Turun vanhusten terveydentila vuonna 1983. Social Insurance Institution. Kansanelkelaitoksen julkaisuja ML:43 Turku. 1984: 68 pp (In Finnish, summary in English).
Schulzer M, Drance SM, Carter CJ, Brooks DE, Douglas GR, Low W. Biostatistical evidence for two distinct chronic open angle glaucoma populations. Br J Ophthalmol 1990; 74: 196–200.
Peräsalo R, Raitta C. Low blood pressure-a risk factor for nerve fiber loss in institutionalized geriatric glaucoma patients. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1990; suppl 195, 68:65–7.
Said A, Labib MAM, Abboud I, Hegazi A. The relationship between systemic hypertension and chronic simple glaucoma. Bull Ophthalmol Soc Egypt 1967; 60: 71.
Peräsalo R, Peräsalo J, Raitta C. Electrocardiographic changes in institutionalized geriatric glaucoma patients. Graefe's Archieve of Ophthalmol 1992 (in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peräsalo, R., Raitta, C. & Peräsalo, J. Optic nerve fiber loss in relation to atrial fibrillation and blood pressure. Int Ophthalmol 16, 259–263 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917972
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00917972