Measurement of retinal blood flow in various pathological conditions by video fluorescence angiography

Many ophthalmological disorders are due to poor local microcirculation, examples being central retinal vein occlusion, acute retinal artery occlusion, and ischaemic eye disease. Generalized changes have been found in arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and arteriosclerosis. It is only at a few places that the microcirculation can be investigated non-invasively in man, and in this connection the retina is of particular interest because it is one of the regions supplied by the intracranial part of the internal carotid. The retinal blood supply is divided into four clearly separate quadrants, normally not communicating via anastomoses. The time of the arteriovenous passage (AVP) can therefore serve as a good indicator of retinal microcirculation. This parameter was measured before and after treatment in patients with diabetic retinopathy, angiosclerosis of the fundus, and lacunar stroke. Video fluorescence angiography reveals the abnormalities of the microcirculation in the area supplied by the carotid artery and can be used to check on therapeutic effects.