Purpose: To investigate the significance of renal artery resistance and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES).
Materials and methods: In this prospective case-control study, 37 patients were involved and grouped as PES (n=19) and control groups (n=18). Ophthalmological evaluation included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness measurement, and optic disc evaluation. In addition, renal artery resistive index and CIMT measurements were taken for all patients and compared between the groups.
Results: The 2 groups were similar with respect to age, sex, and family history of glaucoma. The mean CIMT in the PES group was found to be significantly higher compared with the control group (0.73±0.02 vs. 0.59±0.06 mm, P=0.003). Renal artery resistive indices were found to be higher in the PES group than in the control group, however, the difference was not significant (P=0.46). A moderate positive correlation between CIMT and renal artery resistive indices was detected (r=0.447, P=0.01). However, a higher correlation rate was detected when the analysis was made in the PES group only (r=0.603, P=0.01).
Conclusions: CIMT increases in PES patients and also the renal artery resistance index has a tendency to increase. Patients with PES should be informed about potential systemic consequences of this syndrome.