Variability of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph parameters during exercise

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Physiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Optic nerve head (ONH) topography is crucial for diagnosing glaucoma.
• Understanding factors influencing ONH parameters is essential for accurate assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of dynamic exercise on stereometric parameters of the optic nerve head (ONH).
• To determine if exercise alters ONH topography measurements.

Main Methods:

• 30 healthy volunteers underwent ONH topography, intraocular pressure (IOP), and blood pressure monitoring.
• Measurements were taken before, during, and after dynamic exercise designed to increase systolic blood pressure by at least 30 mmHg.
• Changes in stereometric ONH parameters were calculated and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Exercise led to decreased IOP and increased blood pressure, elevating mean ocular perfusion pressure.
• A significant increase in variance was observed in 8 of 18 stereometric ONH parameters, including rim area and cup/disc area ratio.
• Changes in several ONH parameters correlated significantly with changes in mean ocular perfusion pressure.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic exercise induces significant variability in stereometric ONH parameters.
• To ensure reliable ONH imaging and avoid measurement artifacts, adequate rest periods are recommended before assessment.