Retinal oximetry in glaucoma

Abstract

AbstractRetinal oximetry is an emerging technology which holds promise across in range of eye disease. Intra‐vascular retinal oximetry measurements have been obtained using both dual wavelength, and hyper‐spectral techniques. Retinal oximetric abnormalities have been demonstrated in central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. Abnormalities have also been described in glaucoma patients: 1) Elevated retinal venous saturation, especially in eyes with reduced visual function, when compared to normal control eyes, possibly secondary to reduced inner retinal oxygen consumption. 2) Reduced arterial saturation at the optic nerve head (ONH) in animal models with acutely elevated intra‐ocular pressure, possibly related to reduced ONH perfusion. The elevated venous oxygen saturation found in retinal vessels in eyes with glaucoma damage may represent an objective measure of inner retinal function, and may hold promise as an index of ganglion cell health/remaining functional cell mass, and may therefore allow insights into the impact of therapeutic intervention eg IOP reduction, or neuro‐protective agents. The available evidence for a role for retinal oximetry in glaucoma will be presented.