Variations in Retinal Oxygen Saturation in a Diverse Healthy Population.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Local retinal oxygen saturation is a promising research technique for potential use as a biomarker in diabetes management.
• Establishing normative data for retinal oxygen saturation is crucial for its clinical application.
• Understanding factors influencing retinal oxygen saturation is essential for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine differences in oxygen saturation around the macula.
• To characterize the relationship between oxygen saturation and age, race, refractive error (RE), sex, blood pressure (BP), and prediabetic status.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-nine healthy subjects (age 22-69) with diverse racial backgrounds and equal gender distribution were enrolled.
• Retinal oxygen saturation was measured using the Zilia Ocular device at four locations around the macula.
• Regression analyses and t-tests were performed to analyze oximetry data against various demographic and clinical factors, including BP, RE, and HbA1c.

Main Results:

• Significant variations in oximetry were observed based on race, with higher pigmentation correlating with lower oxygen saturation (p < 0.01).
• Oximetry showed no significant relationship with sex, refractive error, or blood pressure.
• Oxygen saturation was associated with age when race was controlled (P < 0.002), and nasal measurements were higher than temporal ones (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Race and retinal pigmentation are significant factors influencing local oxygen saturation measurements.
• Retinal location impacts oximetry readings, likely due to vascular proximity.
• While age and race are correlated, sex, refractive error, and blood pressure do not appear to alter local oxygen saturation, providing critical baseline data for future research.