Wildner K., Schweitzer D., Hammer M., Voigt U., Strobel J.

Augenklinik der Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstr. 18, 07740 Jena

Goal: It was investigated if a provoked change of blood sugar level leads to a detectable alteration of oxygen saturation of retinal vessels.
Method: The arterial and venous oxygen saturation were determined by means of the Jena Imaging Spectrometer. In the study, 20 healthy volunteers at the middle age of 25 years (19 up to 57 years) were included. The blood sugar level increased by giving 75 g glucose dissolved in water. The oxygen saturation and the blood sugar were measured before the provocation as well as 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the provocation.
Result: After 30 minutes it appeared a small but significant reduction of the venous oxygen saturation in comparison with the starting value. There could not be proved a difference between the other venous oxygen saturations. The arterial oxygen saturation did not show any significant differences between the different times of investigation.
Conclusion: The increased arterio-venous difference in oxygen saturation as response to a provocation by glucose is a mark for an increased consumption of oxygen. That means, an detectable elevation of the metabolism in the retina can be reached by oral supplementation by glucose. A transfer of this investigation method to diabetic patients let expect a judgement of alterated microcirculation.
Supported by Ophthalmoinnovation Thüringen

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