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Published on: December 6, 2016
Impact of Prolonged Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Disease Course on Retinal-Choroidal Microcirculation: A
Chaomin Chen1, Xinyi Chen1, Lixia Qin2
1Department of Ophthalmology, the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Eye Health & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Related Systemic Diseases Artificial Intelligence Screening Technology &Institute of Ophthalmic Diseases, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangxi, China.
Longer obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) duration leads to retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and increased choroidal thickness and volume. Cumulative hypoxic exposure (T90%) independently predicts these macular changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Sleep Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is linked to various health issues, including potential microvascular changes in the retina and choroid.
- Understanding the long-term effects of OSAS on ocular microcirculation is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in macular vascular density and retinal/choroidal thickness in patients with OSAS based on disease duration.
- To investigate the relationship between disease duration, polysomnography (PSG) parameters, and ocular microcirculation in OSAS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 54 newly diagnosed OSAS patients, divided into <10 years and >10 years disease duration groups.
- Wide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (WF-SS-OCTA) was used to assess macular vascular density and structural parameters.
- Partial correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of microcirculatory changes.
Main Results:
- Patients with >10 years of OSAS showed reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and increased choroidal thickness in central macular regions.
- Choroidal vessel volume (CVV) was significantly increased in the longer duration group.
- Higher cumulative hypoxic exposure (T90%) was positively correlated with increased choroidal thickness and CVV, and identified as an independent predictor.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged OSAS duration is associated with progressive retinal neurodegeneration (RNFL thinning) and compensatory choroidal remodeling (increased thickness and CVV).
- Cumulative nocturnal hypoxia (T90%) is a key factor influencing these ocular microvascular and structural alterations.
- Monitoring macular health, especially vascular changes, is important for OSAS patients with extended disease duration.