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Ocular temperature in carotid artery stenosis
P B Morgan1, J V Smyth, A B Tullo
1Department of Optometry and Neuroscience, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, United Kingdom. philip.morgan@umist.ac.uk
Summary
Wide-field infrared ocular thermography shows potential for screening carotid artery stenosis (CAS). Lower ocular surface temperature correlates with increased CAS severity, suggesting it as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a significant risk factor for stroke.
- Current diagnostic methods for CAS can be invasive or costly.
- Non-invasive and accessible screening tools for CAS are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of wide-field, color-coded infrared ocular thermography for detecting carotid artery stenosis (CAS).
- To investigate the correlation between ocular surface temperature and the degree of CAS.
Main Methods:
- A masked study involving 24 asymptomatic patients with suspected vascular occlusive disease.
- Simultaneous ocular thermography and color duplex ultrasonography were performed.
- Data analyzed using linear regression to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between ocular surface temperature and the degree of CAS (r = -0.67, p < 0.001).
- A similar negative correlation existed between the relative differences in CAS and ocular surface temperature between the right and left eyes (r = -0.67, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that the brain's compensatory mechanisms for reduced blood flow in CAS are insufficient.
- Noncontact ocular temperature measurement demonstrates promise as a screening and supplementary diagnostic test for CAS.