title: A novel, microscope based, non-invasive laser Doppler flowmeter for choroidal blood flow assessment.
abstract: Impaired ocular blood flow is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous ocular diseases like glaucoma or AMD. The purpose of the present study was to introduce and validate a novel, microscope based, non-invasive Laser Doppler Flowmeter (NI-LDF) for measurement of blood flow in the choroid. The custom made NI-LDF was compared with a commercial fiber optic based laser Doppler flowmeter (Perimed PF4000). Linearity and stability of the NI-LDF were assessed in a silastic tubing model (i.d. 0.3 mm) at different flow rates (range 0.4-3 ml/h). In a rabbit model continuous choroidal blood flow measurements were performed with both instruments simultaneously. During blood flow measurements ocular perfusion pressure was changed by manipulations of intraocular pressure via intravitreal saline infusions. The NI-LDF measurement correlated linearly to intraluminal flow rates in the perfused tubing model (r = 0.99, p < 0.05) and remained stable during a 1 h measurement at a constant flow rate. Rabbit choroidal blood flow measured by the PF4000 and the NI-LDF linearly correlated with each other over the entire measurement range (r = 0.99, y = x∗1.01-12.35 P.U., p < 0.001). In conclusion, the NI-LDF provides valid, semi quantitative measurements of capillary blood flow in comparison to an established LDF instrument and is suitable for measurements at the posterior pole of the eye.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Haupstrasse 48, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Strohmaier
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Werkmeister
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bogner
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Runge
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Schroedl
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Brandtner
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Radner
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Schmetterer
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Kiel
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Grabner
authors: H A
authors: HA
authors: Reitsamer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*