Laser interferometric investigations of pulsatile choroidal blood flow: review and new results on the validity of the technique.

A short overview of currently available ocular blood flow techniques is given. We have recently introduced a laser interferometric technique for the measurement of ocular fundus pulsation. The eye is illuminated by a single mode laser beam which is reflected at the anterior corneal surface and the fundus. The two re-emitted waves produce interference fringes from which distance changes between cornea and retina during the cardiac cycle can be calculated. These rhythmic changes in corneo-retinal distance are caused by the arterial pulsatile inflow of blood, which increases the ocular volume. The fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) is the maximum distance change between cornea and retina during the cardiac cycle and is taken as a relative measure of pulsatile choroidal blood flow. The high reproducibility and the high sensitivity of the method are discussed. In addition, the present article reviews comparative measurement with other techniques for the assessment of choroidal blood flow, which validates the method. Furthermore, we present new data on a comparison of color Doppler imaging in the posterior ciliary arteries and laser interferometric measurement of FPA. Applications of laser interferometric measurement of FPA to study the physiology, the pharmacology, and the pathophysiology of the choroidal circulation are reviewed. In conclusion, FPA can be taken as a relative measure of pulsatile choroidal blood flow. The technique is particularly suitable for pharmacodynamic studies. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.