Investigation of causes of sex-related differences in ocular blood flow in healthy eyes determined by laser speckle flowgraphy

Takeshi Iwase, Kentaro Yamamoto, Kosei Yanagida, Eimei Ra, Yasuki Ito, Kenta Murotani, Hiroko Terasaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sex-related differences are present in the systemic and ocular blood flow. However, the cause of the sex-related differences has not been determined. We investigated the ocular blood flow, represented by the mean blur rate (MBR), on the optic nerve head (ONH) determined by laser speckle flowgraphy in 138 males (63.9 ± 8.9 years) and 194 females (63.5 ± 9.4 years). The correlations between the MBR on the ONH and the clinical data were determined. The overall ONH-MBR was significantly higher in females than males (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of the hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower in females than in males (P < 0.001). The ONH-MBR was negatively and significantly correlated with the levels of the hemoglobin and hematocrit (both, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that the sex (β = 0.248, P < 0.001) was an independent factor correlated with the ONH-MBR when the clinical examination data were not included in the analyses. However, when the clinical examination data were included, the hemoglobin level (β = -0.295, P < 0.001) was an independent factor that contributed to the ONH-MBR but the sex was not. We conclude that the sex-related differences in the hemoglobin level and the negative correlation between hemoglobin and the ONH-MBR are the causes of the sex-related differences in the ONH-MBR.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13878
JournalScientific reports
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-12-2017
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Investigation of causes of sex-related differences in ocular blood flow in healthy eyes determined by laser speckle flowgraphy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this