Retinal Field Shrinkage, Age, Pulmonary Function, and Biochemistry

Abstract

Retinal field shrinkage was studied with Goldmann perimetry in 144 healthy Ss of the Normative Aging Study. It has been shown that manipulation of the O2 content of inspired air to the level of hypoxia resulted in shrinkage of the visual field, attributable to reduction in O2 tension below the high metabolic requirements of the retina. In the present investigation the question was raised whether this effect occurs when breathing ordinary air, on the basis of normal variability in pulmonary function tests. Significant relationships were given by total vital capacity and FEV with age held constant. In addition the effect of a number of biochemistry variables was explored. Higher serum pepsinogin had a significant effect with pulmonary and age effects controlled. This may be related to physique since tall, lean men have been shown to have higher serum pepsinogen. The failure of serum cholesterol to figure significantly suggests that retinal field shrinkage is not due to atherosclerosis.