The effect of nicotine on choroidal thickness.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of nicotine on choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT).


METHODS
Prospective, case-control study.


METHODS
Sixteen young, healthy subjects and 16 age and gender matched control cases were included in this study; 4 mg nicotine gum was given to the study group and placebo gum to the control group. All participants underwent OCT scanning with a high-speed and resolution spectral-domain OCT device (3D OCT 2000, Topcon, Japan) at baseline, and 1 h following nicotine or placebo administration. The measurements were taken in the morning (10:00-12:00 hours) to avoid diurnal fluctuation.


RESULTS
The median foveal choroidal thickness at baseline was 337.00 μm (IQR 84.50), which decreased to 311.00 μm (IQR 78.00) at 1 h following oral nicotine intake (p=0.001). The median choroidal thickness was also significantly decreased at five other extrafoveal points (p<0.05 for all). In the control group, the median baseline choroidal thickness at the fovea was 330.50 μm (IQR 104.25), and was 332.00 μm (IQR 103.75) at 1 h (p=0.271).


CONCLUSIONS
Nicotine causes a significant decrease in choroidal thickness following oral intake. This acute decrease might be a result of reduced ocular blood flow due to the vasoconstrictive effect of nicotine.
Department of Ophtalmology, Izmir University Faculty of Medicine, , Izmir, Turkey.
Mehmet Ozgur
MO
Zengin
Esat
E
Cinar
Cem
C
Kucukerdonmez
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002829:Choroid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine
Choroid; Imaging; Pharmacology; Retina