Association Between Intraocular Pressure Changes and Optic Nerve Head and Macular Perfusion Parameters During...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Physiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) non-invasively visualizes and quantifies retinal microvasculature.
• OCTA provides an indirect assessment of local retinal perfusion in the macula and optic nerve head.
• Understanding the impact of physical exertion on ocular perfusion is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in OCTA perfusion parameters of the macula and optic nerve head in healthy individuals after isometric exercises.
• To determine the association between these OCTA parameter changes and intraocular pressure (IOP) alterations.
• To explore the utility of OCTA in sports medicine contexts.

Main Methods:

• Twelve healthy subjects performed four isometric exercises: elbow plank, reverse plank, right-side plank, and wall sit.
• Measurements included IOP, systemic blood pressure, heart rate, and OCT angiography of the macula and optic nerve head.
• Data were collected before, immediately after, and after a five-minute rest period following each exercise.

Main Results:

• A significant immediate reduction in optic nerve head vessel density was observed after all tested isometric exercises (p < 0.012).
• Macular vessel density showed no significant changes.
• Intraocular pressure increased after exercises (except wall sit), and changes were negatively associated with optic nerve head vessel density post-exercise.

Conclusions:

• Isometric exercises induce an acute decrease in optic nerve head microvascular density.
• A significant relationship exists between changes in intraocular pressure and optic nerve head perfusion following isometric exertion.
• OCTA is a valuable tool for assessing retinal microcirculation and has potential applications in sports medicine.