Influence of surgical reconstruction of the internal carotid artery on the hemodynamics of the eye in patients with chronic ischemic neuropathy
Purpose. To assess the effect of carotid endarterectomy (CE) on the hemodynamics of the eye, the neuroreceptor apparatus in patients with chronic ischemic neuroopticopathy (CIN) associated with hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Material and methods. The study included 20 patients (20 eyes) with unilateral CIN. In all cases, Doppler ultrasound was used to assess the parameters of the linear blood flow velocity in patients after CE. Results. Surgical reconstruction of the ICA in all patients led to an improvement in blood flow in the vessels of the eye, in ⅔ of cases it stopped the process of neurodegeneration in the optic nerve (optic nerve) and contributed to an increase in the maximum corrected visual acuity at a follow-up of 1 year. Conclusion. Our studies indicate the advisability of performing ICA CE in patients with CIN associated with hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic ICA stenosis. The question of the use of pharmacological neuroprotection of the optic nerve in the postoperative period of CE remains relevant. Key words: chronic ischemic neuroopticopathy, ocular ischemic syndrome, internal carotid artery, carotid endarterectomy.