Ibrahim Tuncer1, Ugur Unsal2. 1. Alfa Medical Center, 6244 St. No:1, Bornova, 35040, Izmir, Turkey. ibrahimtuncer106@gmail.com. 2. West Eye Center, Izmir, Turkey.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To quantitatively evaluate the acute effects of pseudoephedrine on the macular microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical study. METHODS: In this study, 60 right eyes of 60 healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups. The study group received 60 mg of pseudoephedrine and the control group received a placebo. All participants underwent OCTA at baseline and 1 h after oral intake. Superficial macular flow area, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial macular vessel density, central foveal thickness (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline superficial macular flow area, FAZ area, superficial macular vessel density, CFT and SFCT measurements in the study and control groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05 for all). Oral pseudoephedrine intake caused a significant reduction in superficial macular flow area, FAZ area, superficial macular vessel density and SFCT measurements when compared with baseline (p < 0.05 for all). However, there was no significant difference in CFT after oral pseudoephedrine intake (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral pseudoephedrine intake causes a significant decrease in superficial macular blood flow and SFCT. Impairmant of macular microcirculation can be detected noninvasively and quantitavitely by OCTA.
PURPOSE: To quantitatively evaluate the acute effects of pseudoephedrine on the macular microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical study. METHODS: In this study, 60 right eyes of 60 healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups. The study group received 60 mg of pseudoephedrine and the control group received a placebo. All participants underwent OCTA at baseline and 1 h after oral intake. Superficial macular flow area, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial macular vessel density, central foveal thickness (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline superficial macular flow area, FAZ area, superficial macular vessel density, CFT and SFCT measurements in the study and control groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05 for all). Oral pseudoephedrine intake caused a significant reduction in superficial macular flow area, FAZ area, superficial macular vessel density and SFCT measurements when compared with baseline (p < 0.05 for all). However, there was no significant difference in CFT after oral pseudoephedrine intake (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral pseudoephedrine intake causes a significant decrease in superficial macular blood flow and SFCT. Impairmant of macular microcirculation can be detected noninvasively and quantitavitely by OCTA.