Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (2): 87-94.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2025.225

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Correlation between hemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery in patients with severe OSA with AHI and LSaQ2

ZHANG Xin1, LIU Yajie1, LI Fei2, HUANG Chunmei1, ZHANG Huixin1, ZHU Jiabin2   

  1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223000, Jiangsu, China 2. Department of Vascular Interventional Radiology, Huai'an first People's Hospital Industrial Park branch, Huai'an 223006, Jiangsu, China
  • Published:2026-03-26

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Abstract: Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the hemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery(OA)and the central retinal artery(CRA)in patients diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea(OSA), as well as their apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)and lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation(LSaO2). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with severe OSA were included in the study, The study population comprised 27 men and 3 women, with an average age of 43.08±4.86 years. A 1:1 propensity score matching(PSM)procedure was employed to select matched controls from healthy participants recruited during the same period, with the selection based on variables such as age, sex and body mass index(BMI). All subjects underwent full-night polysomnography(PSG), Epworth sleepiness Scale(ESS), intraocular pressure(IOP), and color Doppler ultrasound(CDU)tests. The present study utilised the continuous Doppler ultrasound(CDU)to assess various parameters of ocular blood flow, namely the peak systolic velocity(PSV), the end-diastolic velocity(EDV), the mean flow velocity(MFV), the pulsatility index(PI), and the resistance index(RI)of the ophthalmic artery(OA)and the central retinal artery(CRA).The random number table method was employed to ensure the randomisation of measurements across both eyes. The present study sought to analyse the correlations between hemodynamic parameters and AHI and LSaO2. Results The IOP of the severe OSA group was found to be statistically higher than that of the control group(t=2.293, q<0.05). In the OSA group, the levels of CRA PSV, CRA EDV, OA PSV and OA EDV were found to be significantly lower(p<0.001;Table 1). The investigation revealed a significant negative correlation between CRA PSV and AHI in the severe OSA group(r=-0.478, P=0.008). Additionally, a similar correlation was observed between CRA PSV and LSaO2 in the severe OSA group(r=-0.362, P=0.049). Furthermore, the investigation revealed a significant negative correlation between OA PSV and AHI(r=-0.395, P=0.031). In addition, a similar correlation was observed between OA PSV and LSaO2(r=-0.481, P=0.007). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that AHI and LSaO2 independently predicted reductions in CRA PSV in severe OSA patients(b=-0.064, P<0.05; b=-0.067, P<0.05), and LSaO2 was an independent factor related to reduced OA PSV(b=-0.170, P<0.05). Conclusion Patients diagnosed with severe OSA have been shown to exhibit increased intraocular pressure(IOP)and decreased blood flow velocities in OA and CRA. The degree of hemodynamic abnormalities has been shown to be independently associated with AHI and LSaO2 levels, suggesting that intermittent chronic hypoxia may have a detrimental effect on the microcirculation of the retinal blood supply.

Key words: Sleep apnea, obstructive, Ophthalmic artery, Central retinal artery, Hemodynamic parameters, Ultrasonography,doppler, color

CLC Number: 

  • R767.92
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[2] ObjectiveTo compare the effects of intra-arterial thrombolysis and traditional treatment in central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO). MethodsWe searched the Pubmed, Embase, Clinical.gov, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases for related studies that were published up to May , . We included clinical controls that compared intra-arterial thrombolysis and conventional treatment in CRAO. The random effect model and R software were used for data analysis. ResultsWe identified seven studies including CRAO patients. Meta-analysis results of two randomized controlled trials(RCTs)showed that there was no significant difference in visual acuity improvement between CRAO patients treated with arterial thrombolysis therapy and those with conventional therapy(RR: ., % confidence interval .-., P=.). Meta-analysis results of five cohort studies indicated that compared with conventional therapy, arterial thrombolysis therapy significantly improved visual acuity(RR: ., % confidence interval .-., P<.). The difference between thrombolysis therapy and conventional therapy may be caused by the different treatment time windows in patients. Concerning the adverse reactions after treatment, two RCTs and five cohort studies showed that the adverse reactions in the thrombolysis group are significantly higher than those in the conventional treatment group. ConclusionAlthough intra-arterial thrombolysis therapy has therapeutic potential in CRAO patients, there is still insufficient clinical evidence to prove its effectiveness and safety. Further studies with a large sample and high quality RCTs are required.. Intra-arterial thrombolysis for central retinal artery occlusion: a Meta-analysisCHEN Xi, LI Shanshan, ZHAO Lu, YOU Ran, WANG Yanling Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, ChinaAbstract: [J]. Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University, 2020, 34(4): 28-34.
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