Color Doppler Imaging of the Retrobulbar Circulation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess hemodynamic changes in the retrobulbar circulation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Color Doppler imaging was used to calculate blood flow velocities and vascular resistance of the central retinal artery, short posterior ciliary artery and ophthalmic artery in patients with ARMD and in control patients. RESULTS: The average peak systolic velocity was significantly lower in the central retinal artery (p < 0.001), posterior ciliary artery (p < 0.001) and ophthalmic artery (p < 0.01) of the patients with ARMD than in control. End-diastolic blood flow velocities in the retrobulbar arteries of ARMD patients were also significantly lower (p < 0.001) than controls. Gosling's pulsatility index was significantly higher in the ophthalmic artery (p < 0.01) and posterior ciliary artery (p < 0.001) of eyes with ARMD. In addition, the resistivity index was significantly higher in all retrobulbar arteries (p < 0.001) of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic abnormalities in the retrobulbar circulation suggest that vascular impairment may play a role in the pathogenesis of ARMD.