Our findings suggest that in certain primary open-angle glaucoma patients diminished central visual function may be one manifestation of widespread cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide therapy might increase blood flow in OAG patients while attaining a similar IOP reduction compared to latanoprost plus timolol. Visual function, however, was not different in this short-term comparison between the two treatments.

Purpose: To evaluate the physiological effects of hypercapnia on the retrobulbar vasculature in ocular hypertension (OH) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Methods: Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) of the ophthalmic (OA) and central retinal arteries (CRA) were evaluated in 12 eyes with OH and 8 eyes with OAG using color Doppler imaging. Measurements were taken before and during hypercapnia. Results: Patients with OAG were found to have increased EDV (p < 0.035) of the CRA, and decreased PSV (p < 0.097) and EDV (p < 0.098) of the OA, during hypercapnia. Patients with OH had increased PSV (p < 0.062) and EDV (p < 0.072) of the CRA during hypercapnia. Patients with OH also demonstrated a greater percent change in the calculated RI (p < 0.065) of the CRA in response to hypercapnia when compared to OAG. The mean RI of the CRA decreased during hypercapnia. Discussion: Patients with OH were found to have a normal vasodilatory response within the retrobulbar vasculature during hypercapnia resulting in increased volumetric blood flow to the retina while patients with OAG did not, suggesting there is vasospasm at or downstream from the CRA resulting in decreased volumetric blood flow to the retina.

An 11-year-old boy presented with progressive right-sided proptosis and an orbital mass on neuroimaging. Incisional biopsy revealed an epithelioid hemangioma. The patient underwent an orbitotomy with subtotal excision of the mass. However, the tumor recurred and progressed to the cavernous sinus, despite oral steroids, tacrolimus, and a second subtotal excision. Because of encouraging results reported with beta-blockers in the treatment of pediatric capillary hemangiomas, the patient was subsequently started on oral propranolol, 2 mg/kg/day, with discontinuation of steroids and tacrolimus. A rapid and impressive interval decrease in tumor size was observed, with improvement in proptosis and exposure keratopathy. The patient remains without recurrence approximately 9 months after initiation of propranolol. Our results suggest that oral propranolol may be a potential alternative therapy when complete excision of an epithelioid hemangioma is not practical.

Standard 3 mm to 4 mm MOR for BCCAs, and 5 mm MOR for SCCAs could result in an unacceptable risk of tumor recurrence if the surgical margins are not examined histologically. With increasing preoperative tumor size, there is an increase in the MOR required for BCCA and SCCA, supporting that large tumors require a greater MOR.