Association Between Systemic Arterial Stiffness and Choroidal Vascular Resistance Assessed by Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Diabetic Retinopathy
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between peripapillary choroidal hemodynamics, as measured by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), and systemic arterial stiffness, indicated by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 72 eyes from 72 patients with type 2 diabetes across DR stages were analyzed. Choroidal parameters, including mean blur rate (MBR; indicating blood flow), beat strength (BS; reflecting pulsatility), and the BS/MBR ratio (BOM; a resistance-related waveform index), were quantified in both temporal and nasal peripapillary regions. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of CAVI, considering age, sex, and LSFG parameters.
Results: In univariate analyses, higher CAVI was significantly associated with increased choroidal pulsatility and resistance (P < 0.05). In the final exploratory stepwise multivariable model, age remained significantly associated with higher CAVI (β = 0.048, P = 0.020), while temporal BOM showed a borderline positive trend with CAVI (β = 2.719, P = 0.055). The model was statistically significant overall (adjusted R² = 0.326, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: In patients with DR, age was the most robust determinant of CAVI. The retention of regional choroidal BOM parameters in the final exploratory stepwise model suggests a possible association whereby systemic pulsatile stress may influence choroidal hemodynamics, although these findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating.
Translational Relevance: LSFG-derived choroidal resistance (BOM) may help explore the ocular–systemic vascular connection in diabetes management.
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BibTeX
@article{fujioka2026association,
title = {{Association Between Systemic Arterial Stiffness and Choroidal Vascular Resistance Assessed by Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Diabetic Retinopathy}},
author = {Naoki Fujioka and Kazufumi Tanaka and Moe Nunose and Sara Imai and Ryota Takenaka and Fumihiko Yagi and Yuichi Hori and Ryuya Hashimoto},
journal = {Translational Vision Science \& Technology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1167/tvst.15.10.41},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.15.10.41},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association Between Systemic Arterial Stiffness and Choroidal Vascular Resistance Assessed by Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Diabetic Retinopathy
AU - Naoki Fujioka
AU - Kazufumi Tanaka
AU - Moe Nunose
AU - Sara Imai
AU - Ryota Takenaka
AU - Fumihiko Yagi
AU - Yuichi Hori
AU - Ryuya Hashimoto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Translational Vision Science & Technology
DO - 10.1167/tvst.15.10.41
UR - https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.15.10.41
AB - Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between peripapillary choroidal hemodynamics, as measured by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), and systemic arterial stiffness, indicated by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 72 eyes from 72 patients with type 2 diabetes across DR stages were analyzed. Choroidal parameters, including mean blur rate (MBR; indicating blood flow), beat strength (BS; reflecting pulsatility), and the BS/MBR ratio (BOM; a resistance-related waveform index), were quantified in both temporal and nasal peripapillary regions. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of CAVI, considering age, sex, and LSFG parameters. Results: In univariate analyses, higher CAVI was significantly associated with increased choroidal pulsatility and resistance (P < 0.05). In the final exploratory stepwise multivariable model, age remained significantly associated with higher CAVI (β = 0.048, P = 0.020), while temporal BOM showed a borderline positive trend with CAVI (β = 2.719, P = 0.055). The model was statistically significant overall (adjusted R² = 0.326, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with DR, age was the most robust determinant of CAVI. The retention of regional choroidal BOM parameters in the final exploratory stepwise model suggests a possible association whereby systemic pulsatile stress may influence choroidal hemodynamics, although these findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Translational Relevance: LSFG-derived choroidal resistance (BOM) may help explore the ocular–systemic vascular connection in diabetes management.
SN - 2164-2591
ER -