Abstract
Purpose: :
In central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to pathology. Laser Speckle Flowgraphy (LSFG) (LSFG-Navi, Softcare, Fukuoka, Japan) is a new instrument for visualizing blood flow distribution in ocular fundus. LSFG is convenient for measuring and adequate for clinical application. We analyzed relationship between ocular blood flow and aqueous VEGF concentration in CRVO.
Methods: :
This retrospective study was conducted on 19 eyes of 19 patients (8 females, 11 males; mean age, 66±9 years) of fresh CRVO with no treatment. We evaluated the blood flow in large vessels at optic disc, aqueous VEGF concentration, and intraretinal transit time. The blood flow was evaluated as mean blur rate (MBR) by LSFG. Aqueous humor was collected at the operation, and VEGF was evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosolvent Assay. Intraretinal transit time was evaluated by fluorescein angiography using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph II.
Results: :
Ischemic types were 8 eyes and non-ischemic types were 11 eyes by fluorescein angiography. Aqueous VEGF concentration of ischemic types (mean±standard deviation: 1274±457 pg/ml) were significantly higher than non-ischemic types (241±83 pg/ml) (p=0.0009). Intraretinal transit time was significantly correlated to aqueous VEGF concentration (r=0.675, p=0.004). MBR of CRVO (39.9±3.7) were significantly lower than MBR of fellow eyes (51.1±6.9) (p=0.004). MBR of ischemic types (37.6±3.8) were significantly lower than non-ischemic types (41.6±2.8) (p=0.04). Additionally MBR were significantly correlated to aqueous VEGF concentration (r=-0.623, p=0.004).
Conclusions: :
Lower blood flow in large vessels at optic disc were correlated to higher aqueous VEGF concentration. LSFG may be useful devise to presume aqueous VEGF concentration, prognosis of CRVO and to evaluate effect of treatment.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • vascular endothelial growth factor • imaging/image analysis: clinical