A double masked placebo controlled study on the effect of nifedipine on optic nerve blood flow and visual field function in patients with open angle glaucoma

Aims To investigate whether nifedipine affects ocular perfusion or visual fields in open angle glaucoma patients. Methods In a parallel group study nifedipine or placebo was administered for 3 months (n = 30). Ocular fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA), cup blood flow (Flow(cup)) and visual field mean deviation (MD) were measured. Results Five patients receiving nifedipine discontinued due to adverse events. Nifedipine did not affect FPA [difference: 0.3 mum (95% CI -0.3,0.9); P = 0.70], Flow(cup): [difference: -9 rel.units (95% CI -133,114); P = 0.99], or MD [difference: 0.2dB (95% CI -2.2,2.7); P = 0.51] vs placebo. Conclusions Systemic nifedipine is not well tolerated in glaucoma patients and exerts no effect on visual fields or ocular perfusion.