Does severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome alter retrobulbar blood flow? A color Doppler ultrasound study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate extraocular orbital vessels with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and investigate the effects of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on retrobulbar blood flow. METHODS: Between February 2014 and September 2015, 30 patients with severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 30) and 28 controls were prospectively included in this study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer, and CDU was used to evaluate the retrobulbar vessels. RESULTS: The mean AHI score for the OSA group was 63.2 ± 21.5 per hour. The IOP values were significantly higher in the severe OSA group (p < 0.05). The central retinal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) (p < 0.05) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) (p < 0.02), and the ophthalmic artery (OA) PSV and EDV, were found to be significantly lower in the OSA group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe OSA causes an increase in IOP and a decrease in flow velocity in the retrobulbar circulation.