Effects of obesity on retrobulbar flow hemodynamics: color Doppler ultrasound evaluation

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) and extraocular orbital vessels with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and investigate the effects of obesity on retrobulbar blood flow. Methods: Fifty-nine patients were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to body mass index: Group 1 (31 obese patients) and Group 2 (28 non-obese patients). IOP was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer, and CDU was used to evaluate the retrobulbar vessels. Results: The mean IOP was 18 ± 6.68 mmHg in the obese group and 13.71 ± 1.60 mmHg in the control group (p<0.001). When the CDU values for the central retinal artery were compared between the groups, the pulsatility index was found to be significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group (p<0.001). When the CDU values for the ophthalmic artery (OA) were compared between the groups, the peak systolic velocity (p<0.001) and end-diastolic velocity (p=0.002) values were found to be significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group. Conclusions: Obese patients have a higher mean IOP and lower flow velocity than non-obese patients. Increased IOP together with decreased retrobulbar blood flow, particularly in obese individuals, may increase the risk of glaucoma development.

摘要 目的：通过彩色多普勒超声（color Doppler ultrasound，CDU）评估眼内压（intraocular pressure，IOP）及眼外眶内血管，探究肥胖对球后血流的影响。方法：本前瞻性研究共纳入59例患者，根据体质量指数分为两组：第1组（31例肥胖患者）与第2组（28例非肥胖患者）。采用戈德曼压平眼压计（Goldmann applanation tonometer）测量眼内压，通过彩色多普勒超声评估球后血管。结果：肥胖组患者的平均眼内压为18±6.68 mmHg，对照组为13.71±1.60 mmHg（p<0.001）。对比两组视网膜中央动脉的彩色多普勒超声参数，肥胖组的搏动指数显著低于对照组（p<0.001）。对比两组眼动脉（ophthalmic artery，OA）的彩色多普勒超声参数，肥胖组的收缩期峰值流速（p<0.001）及舒张末期流速（p=0.002）均显著低于对照组。结论：肥胖患者的平均眼内压高于非肥胖患者，而血流速度更低。眼内压升高伴随球后血流降低，尤其在肥胖个体中，可能增加青光眼的发病风险。