Subfoveal choroidal thickness and foveal retinal thickness during head-down tilt

摘要

Introduction: To reveal subtle morphological changes in the eye during simulated microgravity for spaceflights, we measured subfoveal choroidal thickness and foveal retinal thickness during 10° head-down tilt (HDT). We hypothesized that elevated ophthalmic vein pressure during simulated microgravity increases subfoveal choroidal thickness via enlargement of the choroidal vasculature and greater choroidal blood volume. Methods: The right eyes of nine healthy subjects (seven men, two women) were examined. Subfoveal choroidal thickness and foveal retinal thickness were measured using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography in the sitting position, and after 15 and 30 min of 10° HDT. Intraocular pressure was also measured. Results: Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (± SEM) increased from 300 ± 31 μm in the sitting position to 315 ± 31 μm with 15-min HDT, and 333 ± 31 μm with 30-min HDT. However, no change in foveal retinal thickness was observed (228 ± 9 μm in the sitting position, 228 ± 10 μm with 15-min HDT and 228 ± 9 μm with 30-min HDT). Intraocular pressure increased from 14 ± 1 mmHg in the sitting position to 21 ± 2 mmHg with 30-min HDT (54 ± 6%, N = 5). Discussion: Subfoveal choroidal thickness and intraocular pressure were increased by HDT during simulated microgravity, although no change in foveal retinal thickness was observed.