Ocular Microvascular Changes in Patients With Sepsis

Ocular Microvascular Changes in Patients With Sepsis

This study evaluates differences in the ocular microcirculation between septic patients and healthy subjects and the course of ocular microvasculature in survivors and non-survivors over a 24 hours period of time in septic patients

Conjunctival imaging, using IDF video microscope, and retinal imaging, using portable digital fundus camera, as well as systemic hemodynamic measurements, were performed in septic patients at three time points: at baseline, 6 hours and 24 hours. Baseline conjunctival and retinal microcirculatory parameters were compared with healthy controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients with sepsis or septic shock within the first 24 hours after ICU admission

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychiatric disorders, brain diseases, chronic alcoholism, autoimmune rheumatic diseases
• ophthalmological diseases, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataract