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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Retinal vascular tortuosity in obstructive sleep apnea
Amir Mohsenin1, Vahid Mohsenin, Ron A Adelman
1epartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|May 4, 2013
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to increased retinal vascular tortuosity. This finding suggests a potential new marker for OSA-related vascular changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Sleep Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease.
- Retinal vascular changes may serve as indicators of systemic vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the retinal vascular manifestations in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- To quantitate retinal vascular tortuosity in OSA patients compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- Ophthalmic examinations were performed on nine OSA patients and seven matched controls.
- Fundus photographs were analyzed using ImageJ software to measure temporal arterial and venous arcade tortuosity.
- Vessel tortuosity was quantified at 5 and 10 disc diameters from the optic disc.
Main Results:
- Patients with OSA showed significantly increased total retinal vascular tortuosity at both 5DD and 10DD.
- Arterial tortuosity was significantly elevated at 10DD in OSA patients.
- Venular tortuosity was increased at both 5DD and 10DD in the OSA group.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea patients exhibit greater retinal vascular tortuosity than control subjects.
- Increased retinal vascular tortuosity may represent a novel association with OSA.
- Further prospective studies are needed to confirm this relationship and its clinical implications.
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