Effects of Optic Atrophy on Retinal Blood Flow and Oxygen Saturation in Humans

Abstract

• 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.