advertisement
Abstract #6406 Published in IGR 3-2
Decreased Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter (HRF) parameter 'flow' at the papilla shortly after smoking a cigarette
Lietz-Partzsch A; Griesser SM; Flammer J; Haefliger IOKlinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde 2001; 218: 332-334
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of smoking a cigarette on the Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter (HRF) parameter 'flow' at the papilla of healthy young volunteers. METHODS: Three HRF measurements were taken over the papilla (20 x 5, 256 x 64 pixels) in 14 occasional smokers and 14 non-smokers. Ten minutes later, three similar HRF measurements were again taken. In between the two series of measurements, occasional smokers were asked to smoke a cigarette (Marlboro®, nicotine content 9 mg), but non-smokers not. RESULTS: In occasional smokers, the values (arbitrary units) or the HRF parameter 'flow', calculated at the papilla (50 x 50 pixels), significantly (p = 0.01) decreased (11.2 ± 3.5%) after smoking a cigarette. In contrast, in non-smokers, the values of the HRF parameter 'flow' did not decrease significantly (2.9 ± 2.2%) when measurements were repeated ten minutes later. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that smoking a cigarette can affect the HRF parameter 'flow' at the papilla. The clinical implications of such an observation need further investigation.
Dr A. Lietz-Partzsch, Laboratory of Ocular Pharmacology and Physiology, University Eye Clinic Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, PO Box, CH-4012 Basel, Switzerland
Classification:
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)