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The choroidal blood flow response after flicker stimulation in chicks
1Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
Summary
Flicker illumination, a potential treatment for form-deprivation myopia, increases retinal dopamine release and choroidal blood flow. This suggests a mechanism involving dopamine in preventing myopia development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Form-deprivation myopia (FDM) is a significant visual impairment.
- Stroboscopic illumination (10 Hz) has shown promise in preventing FDM.
- Flicker illumination is known to stimulate retinal dopamine (DA) release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that DA released during flicker stimulation diffuses into the choroid.
- To measure choroidal blood flow (ChBF) in response to flicker stimulation in chicks.
- To explore the potential role of ChBF changes in myopia prevention.
Main Methods:
- White Leghorn chicks (2 weeks old) were exposed to diffuse flicker stimulation (5 Hz to 50 Hz) for 3 minutes.
- Choroidal blood flow (ChBF) was measured using a PeriFlux flowmeter.
- Measurements were taken continuously for 5 minutes post-stimulation, with some birds monitored up to 120 minutes.
Main Results:
- Choroidal blood flow (ChBF) significantly increased after flicker stimulation.
- Statistically significant increases in ChBF were observed at 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 30 Hz.
- Elevated ChBF levels were maintained for up to 60 minutes post-stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Flicker illumination appears to increase choroidal blood flow, potentially mediated by retinal dopamine release.
- This mechanism, involving ganglion cell hyperactivity and dopamine release, may suppress myopia development.
- The findings support flicker illumination as a potential therapeutic strategy for myopia prevention.