The influences of gender and aging on optic nerve head microcirculation in healthy adults

Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 30;9(1):15636. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52145-1.

Abstract

Potential differences in the nature of the influences of aging and gender on the optic nerve head (ONH) microcirculation, using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) were evaluated. We studied 908 healthy subjects (men = 701, age: 50.0 ± 9.1 yrs, women = 208, 49.8 ± 9.5 yrs, p = 0.76). The average, maximum (Max), and minimum (Min) mean blur rate (MBR) in a heartbeat were evaluated. The parameters were analyzed separately for the tissue, vessels, and throughout the ONH (All). We investigated which MBR sections are correlated with gender and age by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The Max MBR-All (r = -0.31) was most strongly correlated with gender (men = 1, women = 0). The Min MBR-All (r = -0.24) was most strongly correlated with age, followed by Min MBR-All (r = -0.20). The factors contributing independently to the Max MBR-All were gender (β = -0.15), pulse pressure, spherical refraction, ocular perfusion pressure, and red blood cell (RBC) count. The factors contributing independently to the Min MBR-Vessel were gender (β = -0.09), age (β = -0.25), body mass index, heart rate, and spherical refraction. The factors contributing independently to the Min-MBR-All were age (β = -0.22), heart rate, and RBC count. Our results revealed that gender differences influence the Max MBR, and aging influences the Min MBR. These correlations were stronger than that of average MBR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
  • Male
  • Microcirculation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Optic Disk / blood supply*
  • Optic Disk / diagnostic imaging
  • Optic Disk / growth & development*
  • Sex Factors