The effect of hyperoxia and hypercapnia on fundus pulsations in the macular and optic disc region in healthy young men

Leopold Schmetterer*, Michael Wolzt, Franz Lexer, Christa Alschinger, Ghazaleh Gouya, Gabriele Zanaschka, Anita Fassolt, Hans Georg Eichler, Adolf Friedrich Fercher

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of hyperoxia and hypercapnia on fundus pulsations in the macular and optic disc region and determine a potential autoregulative capacity of the choroid under these conditions. In a randomized cross-over study 100% O2 and a mixture of 5% CO2 with air was inhaled for 10 min by ten healthy male volunteers on different study days. Fundus pulsations were measured with a recently described laser interferometer. These results were compared to changes in systemic haemodynamics and Doppler-sonographic measurements of the radial artery. The fundus pulsation amplitude significantly decreased during hyperoxia and significantly increased during hypercapnia. These effects on fundus pulsations were stronger in the optic disc region than in the macular region. The systemic parameters showed only minor changes. Hence the amplitudes of fundus pulsations measured during hyperoxia and hypercapnia are assumed to be a consequence of metabolic autoregulative mechanisms. This autoregulative capacity is greater in the optic disc region than in the macular region, implying that the fundus pulsation amplitude in the papilla is influenced by both the choroidal and the retinal circulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)685-690
Number of pages6
JournalExperimental Eye Research
Volume61
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Keywords

  • autoregulation
  • choroidal circulation
  • fundus pulsations
  • hypercapnia
  • hyperoxia
  • laser interferometry
  • optic disc blood supply
  • pulsatile ocular blood flow

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of hyperoxia and hypercapnia on fundus pulsations in the macular and optic disc region in healthy young men'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this