Abstract
Purpose :
Ocular surface conditions and spontaneous blinking are essential for maintaining clarity of vision during driving. There are very few data in the literature showing possible effects of stressful conditions on the ocular surface. Therefore, we decided to build a project to study eventual ocular surface changes in elite motorsport athletes and their effect on quality of vision after a full race session.
Methods :
Ocular symptoms, contrast sensitivity, maximum blinking interval (MBI) in standing and driving position, and conjunctival hyperemia were evaluated in moto3 (n=20), moto2 (n=16) and motogp (n=24) riders. Furthermore, the same tests together with MMP-9 measurement and tear osmolarity evaluation were performed in two motogp riders after a full racing session. The tests were conducted in Jerez de la Frontera and Valencia, Spain. Results were compared to age-matched subjects.
Results :
All riders did not report ocular symptoms before, during or after the race. Contrast sensitivity and MBI in standing position were normal compared to controls. Interestingly, when the athletes were asked to assume a racing position motogp riders showed a statistically significant higher MBI compared to controls and moto2 riders together with a higher tear meniscus. A significant MBI reduction was recorded after the race, but the ocular surface did not show signs of inflammation and tear osmolarity was decreased compared to normal conditions.
Conclusions :
The first part of our project showed that MBI rate is clearly different in a top rider and that a stressful event- like the race - can affect this behavior. The lower MBI rate does not induce symptoms and visual changes, and determines a decrease of osmolarity, the opposite situation compared to other subjects. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and to better understand the reasons of this exception to the rule.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.