Investigation of the short-term effects of water drinking test on the eye using optical coherence tomography angiography in young healthy male subjects

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the acute effects of the water drinking test (WDT) on the eye using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on healthy young male subjects.

Methods

The study included 25 eyes of 25 male subjects. Selected parameters of the retinal vasculature were measured, including macular flow indices, foveal avascular zone, and vessel densities (VDs) of the macula using OCTA. The measurements were taken on the first day without drinking water at 0 min, 30 min and 60 min, then repeated on the second day before drinking water at 0 min, and after drinking water at 30 min and 60 min. The Paired Samples t-test and repeated measures One-way analysis of variance test were used in the statistical analyses.

Results

The repeated measures analysis of variance test using Bonferroni adjustment demonstrated a significant increase in superficial and deep foveal VD following WDT (p < 0.001 for both). Intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, foveal avascular zone, flow area of choriocapillaris, flow area of outer retina, foveal non-flow area of superficial layer, and retinal thickness measurements showed no significant changes following WDT.

Conclusions

WDT is associated with temporary flow modifications in superficial and deep foveal vascular plexus in young male subjects.

Keywords:

• Flow area of choriocapillaris
• intraocular pressure
• optical coherence tomography angiography
• vessel density
• water drinking test

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Mr…. for assistance with digital imaging.

• No funding or support was received from any institution for this study and none of the authors have any financial interests to disclose.

• The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, that the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met, and that each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work.

• The study has not been presented elsewhere.

• The study has not been sent to another journal.

• The document attached verifies that this manuscript was edited for proper English, grammar, punctuation, spelling and overall style by a native English speaker.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).