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Abstract Background  Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a multifactorial disease that is caused by an infarction of the vessels that supply the optic nerve head. This study aims at evaluating the role of traditional and emerging cardiovascular risk factors on the development of NAION. Methods  A total of 85 newly diagnosed NAION patients and 107 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were studied. All participants underwent blood testing for homocysteine and lipoprotein(a). Plasma levels of vitamin B6 and B12, and folic acid were also determined. Plasma values of all these parameters were evaluated as continuous variables, by a logarithmic transformation. In addition, traditional cardiovascular risk factors were considered. Results  With univariate analysis, higher values of homocysteine and Lp(a) (OR 4.24, 95% CI 2.01–8.94, p p = 0.03, respectively) and lower values of vitamin B6 (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.76, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with NAION. At multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, gender, smoking habit, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, sleep apnea, and thrombophilic risk factors, the higher homocysteine and Lp(a) values (OR 5.74, 95% CI 2.41–13.67, p = 0.0001; OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01–1.63, p = 0.04) and lower vitamin B6 values (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23–0.77, p = 0.005) maintained their significant relationship with NAION. Conclusions  This study demonstrated that elevated plasma homocysteine and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as low vitamin B6 levels, may increase the risk of developing NAION. A screening for these thrombophilic markers could be useful in subjects experiencing NAION. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background  Previous investigations have shown that vascular factors are involved in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (XFG). The present study aims at comparing ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), diastolic ocular perfusion pressure (dOPP), and retrobulbar haemodynamics in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods  Forty-seven XFGs, 41 POAGs, and 38 healthy controls were evaluated. OPP and dOPP were calculated. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistivity index (RI) were recorded in ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) by color Doppler imaging (CDI). Correlations between OPP and CDI parameters and between dOPP and CDI parameters were determined. Results  OPP and dOPP were significantly lower in XFGs than in POAGs and controls (p p p p = 0.022 and p = 0.015 respectively). Conclusions  Ocular perfusion pressure is decreased and retrobulbar haemodynamics are worse in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma patients than in primary open-angle glaucoma patients and healthy controls. An impaired ocular vascular regulation is suggested in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]