gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

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Intraocular pressure and macula function changes during high-altitude acclimatization

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author M. Pavlidis - University of Münster, Eye Clinik and Experimental Ophtalmology, Münster
  • T. Stupp - University of Münster, Eye Clinik and Experimental Ophtalmology, Münster
  • I. Georgalas - University of Athens, First Ophthalmology Departement, Athens/GR
  • E. Georgiadou - University of Athens, First Ophthalmology Departement, Athens/GR
  • M. Moschos - University of Athens, First Ophthalmology Departement, Athens/GR
  • S. Thanos - University of Münster, Eye Clinik and Experimental Ophtalmology, Münster

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogP 079

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog570.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Pavlidis et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

Text

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between hypobaric hypoxia, acclimatization intraocular pressure (IOP) and the effects of high altitude hypobaric hypoxia to macula morphology and function during ascent, acclimatization, and descent between 2286 m and 5650 m.

Methods

The following acclimatization-indicative physiological parameters were compared daily with IOP changes in eight healthy climbers of a Karakorum Himalaya expedition (2003): hemoglobin oxygen saturation (PO2), resting heart rate, blood pressure, retinal findings, and the Lake Louise score of acclimatization. Macula function was evaluated in three of the climbers with multifocal electroretinogramms (MF ERG), near vision acuity and amsler grid tests. Macula morphology was tested with the optical coherence topography (OCT) and with stereoscopic fundopscopy obtained one week before ascent, as well as one week and two weeks after high altitude exposure.

Results

IOP decreased significantly in the ascent phase and recovered following acclimatization. A direct proportional correlation between decreases in PO2 and IOP was evaluated. No retinal hemorrhages were observed in well- and incompletely acclimatized climbers. The central macula MF ERG responses reduced significantly one week after high altitude exposure and recovered in the next week follow-up examination. Near vision acuity and amsler grid tests remained unaffected in both follow-up examinations. Few but no significant changes could be found in the follow-up OCT and daily fundoscopy examinations by all three well acclimatised climbers.

Conclusions

IOP changes could be related to hypoxia-induced respiratory alkalosis and acclimatization stage, which could be used as a simple mobile screening test for acclimatization level to reveal acute mountain sickness and its severe consequences. By high altitude tourists, travellers and athletes with macula diseases like age related macula degeneration, tapetoretinal degeneration or diabetic retinopathy high altitude exposure could accelerate the disease progression.