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Retinal vascular reactivity over extended vessel segments
Author(s) -
KALITZEOS A,
SUMMERS RJ,
HEITMAR R
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.4618.x
Subject(s) - retinal , anatomy , retinal artery , ophthalmology , optic disc , medicine , retinal vein , fundus (uterus) , optic disk , retina , optics , physics
Purpose To assess the impact of vessel segment length when analysing retinal vessel responses to flicker light provocation in healthy individuals. Methods 12 healthy individuals (mean age 30±6) underwent digital sphygmomanometry (UA‐767, A&D Instruments, UK), non‐contact tonometry (Keeler Pulsair, UK) and dynamic retinal diameter assessment using the retinal vessel analyser (Imedos Systems, Germany) in order to evaluate the influence of segment length on flicker light induced dilation of retinal arterioles and venules. Up to seven segments of each superior artery and vein, were extracted off‐line from video recordings of each subject within a minimum distance of 1 disc diameter (DD) from the rim of the optic nerve head and up to a maximum of 4 DD away from the rim. Results Retinal arteriolar and venular dilation amplitude were independent of segment length, blood pressure and intraocular pressure. Conclusion Independence of segment length is essential as retinal vessel anatomy is highly variable, some individuals having numerous vessel crossings and bifurcations making it difficult to measure long vessel segments.