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Regional differences in oxygen saturation in retinal arterioles and venules

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Retinal vessel oxygenation saturation measurements have been the focus of much attention in recent years as a potential diagnostic parameter in a number of ocular and systemic pathologies. This interest has been heightened by the ability to measure oxygen saturation in vivo using a photographic technique.

Methods

Retinal vessel oxygenation in venules and arterioles of 279 retinal vessels of 12 healthy Caucasian participants (mean age: 30 SD (+/− 6) years) were measured consecutively three times to evaluate short-term variation in oxygen saturation and regional variability of retinal vessel oxygen saturation using dual-wavelength technology (Oxymetry Modul, Imedos, Germany). All subjects underwent standard optometric assessment including non-contact intra-ocular pressure assessment as well as having their systemic blood pressure measured.

Results

Vessels were grouped as either near-macula or peripheral, depending on their location. Peripheral arterioles and venules exhibited significantly lower oxygen saturation compared to their near-macula counterparts (arterioles: 94.7% (SD 3.9) vs. 99.7% (SD 3.2); venules: 65.1% (SD 7.2) vs. 90.3% (SD 6.7)). Both arterioles and venules, main branches, and those feeding and draining the retina near the macula and periphery showed low short-term variability of oxygen saturation (arterioles: COV 1.2–1.8%; venules: COV 2.9–4.9%).

Conclusions

Retinal arterioles and venules exhibit low short-term variation of oxygen saturation in healthy subjects. Regional differences in oxygen saturation could be a potential useful marker for risk stratification and diagnostic purposes of area-specific retinal pathology such as age-related macula degeneration and diabetic maculopathy.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a Summer Scholarship of The College of Optometrists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK

    Rebekka Heitmar & Saima Safeen

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  1. Rebekka Heitmar
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  2. Saima Safeen
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Correspondence to Rebekka Heitmar.

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Heitmar, R., Safeen, S. Regional differences in oxygen saturation in retinal arterioles and venules. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 250, 1429–1434 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-1980-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-1980-1

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