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Effects of fasting on peripapillary capillary density, peripapillary nerve fiber layer, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effects of fasting on intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness during Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

Methods

Twenty-seven healthy fasting volunteers were enrolled. All subjects underwent full ophthalmic examination and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of both eyes. All measurements were recorded first in the morning (8:00–10:00 a.m.) and then in the evening (4:00–6:00 p.m.). The first visit was performed during the second and third week of Ramadan and then two months later in a nonfasting routine day.

Results

Mean age of participants was 40.07 ± 9.29 years. A significant decrease was found for evening IOP (11.17 ± 2.29 mmHg) in comparison with morning IOP (12.00 ± 2.28) (p = 0.00) only on fasting days. A decrease was observed for CCT both on fasting (6 μm) and nonfasting days (3 μm) (p = 0.00 and p = 0.02, respectively) in the evening. There was a significant increase in whole and peripapillary RPC density (%) on fasting days (48.79 ± 3.08 morning, 49.72 ± 2.85 evening for whole and 50.57 ± 4.06 morning, 51.64 ± 3.71 evening for peripapillary) (p = 0.00). Average RNFL thickness was decreased from morning to evening both on fasting days (0.80 μm) and nonfasting days (1.25 μm) (p = 0.00). Optic nerve head (ONH) vertical cup/disc (C/D) ratio was greater on fasting days (0.30 ± 0.25 morning, 0.31 ± 0.24 evening) in comparison with nonfasting days (0.27 ± 0.25 morning, 0.28 ± 0.25 evening) (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Fasting decreases the IOP and CCT in healthy subjects. OCTA revealed significant difference in RPC vessel density, RNFL thickness and ONH vertical C/D ratio during fasting hours in comparison with nonfasting days.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to appreciate participation of Eye clinic and Operating room’s personnel as study subjects during and after Ramadan 2017 at Rassoul Akram Hospital. Also we are thankful to efforts of Ms. Shirazi for data gathering process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Research Center, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Naveed Nilforushan, Navid Abolfathzadeh, Mohammad Banifatemi, Arezoo Miraftabi, Mahsa Sardarinia & Sayyed Amirpooya Alemzadeh

  2. Nikookari Eye Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 5154645395, Iran

    Navid Abolfathzadeh

  3. Department of Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA

    Arian Nilforushan

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  1. Naveed Nilforushan
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  2. Navid Abolfathzadeh
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Correspondence to Navid Abolfathzadeh.

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Nilforushan, N., Abolfathzadeh, N., Banifatemi, M. et al. Effects of fasting on peripapillary capillary density, peripapillary nerve fiber layer, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness. Int Ophthalmol 40, 1439–1447 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-020-01310-x

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