Evaluation of ocular pulse amplitude in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

BACKGROUND To evaluate the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in patients with chronic non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised a study group of 30 eyes from 30 patients with NAION and a control group of 31 eyes from 31 age and gender-matched healthy subjects. Bilateral OPA was measured with dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and was compared between the study and control groups. RESULTS No statistically significant difference was found between the study and control groups in terms of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with Goldmann Applanation Tonometry and DCT in the study and control groups was not statistically different (p1 = 0.094, p2 = 0.240). The mean OPA in the study group and the control group were 2.01 ± 0.69 mmHg and 1.97 ± 0.68 mmHg (p = 0.839). CONCLUSION No significant difference was determined in the OPA levels of eyes with NAION at the chronic stage and eyes in the control group.