A marked fall in nocturnal blood pressure is associated with the stage of primary open-angle glaucoma in patients with arterial hypertension

Abstract

In patients with glaucoma and well-controlled hypertension, a nocturnal BP fall of more than 10% is associated with a greater visual field defect and greater degeneration of the optic nerve fibers. Low minimum diastolic pressure and the level of nocturnal BP fall, but not the absolute value of average arterial BP at night, should be included in the group of specific risk factors in patients with hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. These findings also suggest avoiding excessive lowering of BP at night in this group.