The Hemorheological Mechanisms in Normal Tension Glaucoma

Abstract

The higher blood viscosity of the NTG patients at the high shear rate may be related to impaired erythrocyte deformability associated with a change in erythrocyte rigidity. Higher blood viscoelasticity and blood viscosity of NTG patients at the low shear rate was due to increased erythrocyte aggregability. Also, the impaired erythrocyte deformability of NTG patients is susceptible to developing abnormalities of the distal microcirculation. Furthermore, the increased blood viscosity and low oxygen transport efficiency of blood may result in hypoperfusion of optic nerve in NTG patients.