Comparison of choroidal and optic nerve head blood flow regulation during changes in ocular perfusion pressure

Doreen Schmidl, Agnes Boltz, Semira Kaya, Rene Werkmeister, Nikolaus Dragostinoff, Michael Lasta, Elzbieta Polska, Gerhard Garhöfer, Leopold Schmetterer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose. We compared the response of choroidal and optic nerve head blood flow (ChBF, ONHBF) in response to an increase in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) during isometric exercise and during a decrease in OPP during an artificial increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods. We included 96 healthy subjects in our study. In 48 subjects OPP was increased by 6 minutes of squatting, and either ONHBF (n = 24) or ChBF (n = 24) was measured continuously. In 48 other healthy subjects either ONHBF (n = 24) or ChBF (n = 24) was measured continuously during a period of artificial increase in IOP using a suction cup. All blood flow measurements were done using laser Doppler flowmetry. Results. During all experiments the response in blood flow was less pronounced than the response in OPP, indicating for flow regulation. During isometric exercise ChBF regulated better than ONHBF (P = 0.023). During artificial IOP increase ONHBF regulated better than ChBF (P = 0.001). Inter-individual variability in blood flow responses was high. During squatting ONHBF decreased considerably below baseline ONHBF when OPP fluctuated in 3 subjects, although OPP still was much higher than at baseline. This phenomenon was not observed in the choroid. Conclusions. Our data indicate that regulation of ChBF and ONHBF during changes in OPP is different and complex. In some subjects performing squatting, considerable ONHBF reductions were observed during OPP fluctuations, although OPP still was high. Whether this predisposes to ocular disease remains unclear.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4337-4346
Number of pages10
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume53
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of choroidal and optic nerve head blood flow regulation during changes in ocular perfusion pressure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this