Effects of optic atrophy on retinal blood flow and oxygen saturation in humans
J. Sebag, F. C. Delori, G. T. Feke and J. J. Weiter
Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation, Boston, MA 02114.
Retinal blood flow and oxygen saturation were evaluated in patients with
unilateral inner retinal degeneration secondary to neurogenic optic
atrophy. Arteriovenous O2 saturation for temporal and nasal vascular
segments of the affected eyes, evaluated by retinal vessel oximetry, was
12% +/- 9% higher than in the fellow eyes (seven patients). Blood flow in
the temporal retinal arteries of the affected eyes, measured by the laser
Doppler technique, was 48% +/- 20% lower than in the fellow eyes (four
patients). The combination of these results indicated a 40% +/- 29%
reduction in O2 delivery in the affected eyes (four patients), thereby
quantifying the decrease in retinal metabolism that resulted from inner
retinal degeneration.
