The Effect of Medical Lowering of Intraocular Pressure on Peripapillary and Macular Blood Flow as Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Treatment-naive Eyes

PRCIS Reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) by latanoprost in treatment-naive eyes is significantly correlated to an increase in vessel density (VD) at the optic nerve head (ONH). PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of topical latanoprost on ocular microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective case-control study, 26 eyes from 18 treatment-naive subjects in whom prostaglandin analogue (PGA) latanoprost 0.005% was initiated were included as cases. In 10 out of the 18 subjects, medication was initiated in only 1 eye; their contralateral untreated eyes were used as controls. OCTA (AngioVue, Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA) was performed at baseline and ≥3 weeks after commencing treatment. Main outcome measures were change in flow area and VD at the ONH, radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC), and macula. Comparison between the 2 visits was performed using a linear mixed model adjusted for intereye correlation and mean ocular perfusion pressure. RESULTS IOP decreased by 26.1%±11.3% (P