To compare the diameter of central retinal vessels between patients with normal-tension glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma and healthy (control) eyes.

The authors reviewed 30 eyes of 30 normal-tension glaucoma patients, 20 eyes of 20 primary open-angle glaucoma patients and 30 eyes of normal persons who had no systemic vascular diseases. The diameters of the central retinal arteries and veins were measured and calculated using a revised Parr-Hubbard formula, and results were compared between the groups.

The diameter of the central retinal vessel showed no statistical differences between the eyes with normal-tension glaucoma and primary-open angle glaucoma. However, there were significant differences between the eyes of patients with glaucoma and the normal control eyes ( p <0.05).

The diameter of the central retinal vessels in glaucoma patients were narrower than that in the control group. Our results suggest that the diameter of the central retinal vessels may affect the development of glaucoma both in normal tension and primary open-angle types, or that glaucomatous damage may influence the diameter of the central retinal vessels.