Temporal oscillations of retinal vessel diameter in healthy volunteers of different age

Purpose. We investigated whether temporal oscillations of the retinal vessel diameter, as measured with the dynamic vessel analyzer (DVA), undergo age-related changes. Methods. Vessel diameters of retinal arterial and venous segments were examined with the DVA in 28 medically healthy volunteers divided into two age groups of 14 persons each: young subjects (21-32 years) and seniors (52-70 years). Continuous temporal records of vessel diameter were mathematically evaluated and divided into high-frequency (period <1.5 s) and low-frequency (period =1.5 s) oscillations.Results. The phase difference between temporal arterial and venous vessel diameter records was higher in the young group [0.6 (0.1, 3.3)] s [median (1st quartile, 3rd quartile)] compared with the seniors [0.1 (-0.4, 0.3) s]. There was a difference in the periodicity in veins between the groups and, in seniors, between the arteries and the veins.Conclusions. High-frequency oscillations of vessel diameter correspond to the heartbeat. These were expressed more in seniors. Low-frequency oscillations were well expressed in young subjects. Our results show significant age-related alterations in retinal vessel regulation.