Assessment of Vascular Resistance in Glaucoma

Our proposal aims to determine whether vascular resistance is elevated during early stages of glaucoma, contributing important knowledge and new diagnostic tools to the glaucoma research community.

Abnormal blood flow within the eye is thought to be one factor contributing to the development and progression of glaucoma. However, questions remain about how and when this occurs. Our proposal aims to determine whether vascular resistance is elevated during early stages of glaucoma. Our results will contribute important knowledge and useful diagnostic tools to the glaucoma research community.

We are one of very few groups in the world using the powerful combination of laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to leverage the strengths and advantages of each technique for comprehensive analysis of the retinal and ONH microvasculature, blood flow, pulsatile hemodynamics, autoregulation and neurovascular coupling. We have devised an apparatus and approach for probing neurovascular coupling by LSFG and OCTA during a flickering light stimulus. We also reveal for the first time a novel observation of extravascular motion detected by OCTA.

We have a proven track record of successful translation of laboratory-based research into the realms of clinical research and patient care. We anticipate that the results of this study will provide important new insights about the role of increased vascular resistance in glaucoma pathophysiology, effective tools for clinical assessment of vascular resistance, and powerful means for refining predictions of glaucoma progression. Thus, collectively, they will exert a meaningful impact on future clinical glaucoma research and patient management.