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Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:60-63 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.046755
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Increased plasma endothelin-1 levels in patients with progressive open angle glaucoma

  1. M Emre1,
  2. S Orgül1,
  3. T Haufschild1,
  4. S G Shaw2,
  5. J Flammer1
  1. 1University Eye Clinic, Basel, Switzerland
  2. 2Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to: Professor S Orgül University Eye Clinic Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, PO Box, 4012 Basel, Switzerland; sorgulmagnet.ch
  • Accepted 10 May 2004

Abstract

Aim: To compare the plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) between patients with primary open angle glaucoma with visual field progression despite normal or normalised intraocular pressure and patients with stabile visual fields in a retrospective study.

Methods: The progressive group consisted of 16 primary open angle glaucoma patients and the group with stable visual field consisted of 15 patients. After a 30 minute rest in a supine position, venous blood was obtained for ET-1 dosing. Difference in the plasma level of ET-1 between two groups was compared by means of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), including age, sex, and mean arterial blood pressure as covariates.

Results: ET-1 plasma levels were found to be significantly increased in patients with deteriorating (3.47 (SD 0.75) pg/ml) glaucoma when compared to those with stable (2.59 (SD 0.54) pg/ml) visual fields (p = 0.0007).

Conclusions: Glaucoma patients with visual field progression in spite of normal or normalised intraocular pressure have been found to have increased plasma endothelin-1 levels. It remains to be determined if this is a secondary phenomenon or whether it may have a role in the progression of glaucomatous damage.

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