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

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.