Ocular temperature in carotid artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: To explore the potential application of wide-field, color-coded infrared ocular thermography in the investigation of carotid artery stenosis (CAS).

METHODS

Ocular thermography and color duplex ultrasonography were undertaken in a masked study of 24 asymptomatic, consecutively presenting patients who were examined for vascular occlusive disease.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis indicated that there was a significant negative correlation between ocular surface temperature and the degree of CAS (r = -0.67, p < 0.001). Similar results were demonstrated between the relative difference in CAS (right - left) and the relative difference in ocular surface temperature (right - left) (r = -0.67, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the circle of Willis and the other anastomoses within the brain are unable to compensate fully for the reduction in blood flow on the affected side. Noncontact ocular temperature measurement has potential as both a screening test and a supplementary diagnostic clinical test for CAS.