The Effect of Superficial Temporal Artery Compression on Intraocular Microcirculation

ABSTRACT

To increase retinal blood flow, we attempted to increase blood flow of ophthalmic artery which in the major vascular supply to the eyeball. The authors evaluated changes in blood flow of ophthalmic artery and retinal capillary after compression of superficial temporal artery. In 5 normal healthy subjects, the superficial temporal artery was compressed for 10seconds and the blood flow was measured with color doppler imaging and Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter(HRF). After compression, the mean volume of ophthalmic artery was increased by 59.3% and the mean change of diastolic velocity was significantly increased by 29.6%. Systolic velocity did not changing significantly. For evaluation of retinal microcirculation, we measured volume, flow, velocity in retina and optic nerve head. The relative ratio in changes of volume, flow, velocity were 87.9%, 91.5%, 92.6%, in retina respectively and 110.1%, 140.7%, 139.5%, respectively in optic nerve head. These significant changes were not statistically(P>0.05). In 5 diabetic patients with damaged autoregulatory mechanism, the relative ratio in changes of volume, flow, velocity were 114.25%, 118.30%, 117.6%, respectively. These changes were not statistically significant(P>0.05). Our results indicate that the increase of blood flow in ophthalmic artery by compressing superficial temporal artery did not increase retinal blood flow.