“`html
Nearly half of those with glaucoma don’t even know they have it, a startling statistic that a University of Maine researcher is hoping to change. New findings suggest a more holistic approach to eye exams-considering both blood pressure and eye pressure-could lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses of this leading cause of blindness worldwide.
A New Look at Blood Flow and Glaucoma Risk
Researchers are exploring how the interplay between blood pressure and pressure inside the eye impacts blood flow to the optic nerve, potentially unlocking a new way to detect glaucoma.
- Glaucoma affects millions, but frequently enough goes undetected until meaningful vision loss occurs.
- A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maine is investigating the role of blood flow in glaucoma advancement.
- The research suggests that assessing both blood pressure and intraocular pressure could improve early detection.
- An automated system is being developed to streamline blood flow analysis during routine eye exams.
What’s the connection between blood pressure and glaucoma? Glaucoma, a disease that slowly damages the optic nerve, is often linked to increased pressure inside the eye. But new research indicates that blood pressure-the force of blood against your artery walls-plays a crucial role, too. Temitope Olayinka, a doctoral researcher in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Maine, is shedding light on this complex relationship.
“Think of the eye like a garden that needs proper water pressure to stay healthy,” Olayinka said. “Blood flowing into the eye – controlled by blood pressure – is like water coming through a hose, while the pressure inside the eye itself acts like resistance against that flow. In this study, we found that the balance between these two pressures works differently in glaucoma patients compared to healthy individuals.”
Understanding the Pressure dynamic
Olayinka’s work, presented at the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, utilized advanced ultrasound imaging to compare blood-flow patterns in people with and without glaucoma. The results, published in an abstract in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, demonstrate that reduced blood flow to the optic nerve may be a key contributor to nerve damage in glaucoma patients.
“What we found was that when we account for both mean arterial pressure, the average pressure pushing blood through your body, and intraocular pressure, the pressure inside the eye, we can better understand how blood flow is affected in glaucoma patients,” she explained. “This is important because it suggests that simply measuring eye pressure isn’t enough; we need to consider the whole picture.”
Olayinka’s background is as diverse as her research. With a ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering, she worked in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and taught cybersecurity at First Technical University, experiences that inform her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively.
she also actively mentors students in STEM fields, judging science fairs and supporting robotics teams, underscoring her commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists.
“the most meaningful experience has been serving as a judge at the Maine State Science Fair and the Middle school Science & Engineering Fair,” Olayinka said. “What struck me most was the genuine curiosity and creativity these young students brought to their projects.”
Share your thoughts on the potential of this research in the comments below.