Neuronal Blood Pressure Regulation

Neuronal blood pressure control is mediated by the autonomic nervous system. In this article, physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms will be recapitulated. Blood pressure regulation aims at maintaining adequate cardiac output and a sufficient perfusion pressure for the organs. In glaucoma, ocular perfusion pressure is defined as the difference between systemic blood pressure and intraocular pressure and is crucial for the supply of the optic nerve. Patients who suffer from normal-tension glaucoma and low blood pressure are at risk of glaucoma progression. In primary open-angle glaucoma, blood pressure is also of importance. A 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with particular attention to the nocturnal dipping is recommended for all glaucoma patients. Internal medicine specialists and ophthalmologists should be aware of the mutual influence of the two diseases and take this it into account for the choice of an individual therapeutic strategy and target level.