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Evaluating Retinal and Choroidal Perfusion Changes after Isometric and Dynamic Activity Using Optical Coherence
Max Philipp Brinkmann1,2, Nikolas Xavier Kibele1, Michelle Prasuhn3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Stadtspital Waid und Triemli Zürich, 8063 Zürich, Switzerland.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 5, 2021
Summary
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) reveals that dynamic exercise, unlike isometric exercise, significantly enhances choroidal perfusion in healthy adults. Retinal perfusion remained stable, suggesting effective autoregulation during physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive imaging technique.
- OCTA quantifies retinal and choroidal perfusion in vivo.
- Understanding exercise effects on ocular perfusion is crucial for sports medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the acute effects of isometric and dynamic exercise on retinal and choroidal sublayer perfusion.
- To assess changes in perfusion using OCTA following different exercise types.
- To investigate the relationship between hemodynamic changes and ocular perfusion.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 34 healthy participants.
- Participants underwent isometric exercise on one day and dynamic exercise on another.
- Measurements included heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and OCTA parameters (SCPP, DCPP, CCP, SLP, HLP) at baseline and post-exercise.
Main Results:
- Both exercise types significantly increased heart rate and mean arterial pressure.
- Superficial and deep capillary plexus perfusion showed no significant changes.
- Dynamic exercise led to significant increases in choriocapillaris, Sattler's, and Haller's layer perfusion.
- Mean arterial pressure changes correlated with Haller's layer perfusion changes after dynamic exercise.
Conclusions:
- OCTA demonstrated stable retinal perfusion post-exercise, supporting autoregulation theories.
- Dynamic exercise, but not isometric, significantly altered choroidal perfusion.
- OCTA imaging shows potential as a sensitive tool in sports medicine diagnostics.
