Abstract

SO.05.06

Effect of unspecific inhibition of cyclooxygenase by indomethacine on retinal and choroidal blood flow in humans

Garhöfer G.^1,2, Weigert G.¹, Berisha F.¹, Schmetterer L.^1,3
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Ophthalmology, ³Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Objective: Prostaglandines are among the most important regulators of ocular blood flow. Our study aims to investigate the effect of unspecific inhibition of cyclooxygenase via indomethacine on ocular blood flow.
Methods: 10 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Indometacin or placebo was administered as bolus (0.4mg/kg) followed by a continous infusion of 0.4 mg/kg/h over 2 houres. Ocular blood flow was measured at baseline, 30 minutes, 1 and 2 hours after infusion start. Retinal vessel diameters were measured with a Retinal Vessel Analzyer, blood cell velocity with a bi-directional Laser Doppler Velocimeter. Choroidal blood flow was measured with a Laser Doppler Flowmeter.
Results: Indometacine reduced retinal blood flow by -29%±9% (p<0.05) reaching a maximum effect after 1 hour post infusion start. Choroidal blood flow was also reduced after administration of indometacine. (-16%±5%, p<0.05).
Conclusions: Our results showed a marked decrease in retinal and choroidal blood flow after administration of indometacine. Whether this decrease can be attributed to a reduced production of prostaglandins or an unknown mechanism has yet to be clarified.

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