Chronic alcohol consumption on retinal microcirculation in healthy subjects: an optic coherence tomography angiography study

To investigate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on retinal microcirculation by comparing different alcohol-consuming groups using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

This observational clinical study utilized a cross-sectional and prospective design, focusing on chronic alcohol consumers alongside a non-consuming control group. OCT/OCTA imaging parameters including central retinal subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses in both the macular and optic disc (OD) regions were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0; descriptive statistics were reported, group comparisons were performed with Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, and Bonferroni-corrected Mann–Whitney U tests, and relationships were assessed using Spearman correlation, with statistical significance set at P<0.05.

A total of 160 eyes of 160 participants (110 females and 50 males with mean age 38.7±9.9y) who don’t smoke were divided into five groups: never, occasional, monthly, weekly and daily drinkers. The mean CST was 216.6±14.2 µm and the mean SCT was 358.9±84.5 µm. There was no statistically significantly difference in CST and SCT among the groups (P=0.890, 0.799). Foveal superficial capillary plexuses (SCPs) VD was higher in monthly drinkers compared to occasional drinkers (P=0.015). Foveal VD in deep capillary plexus was also higher in monthly drinkers than in never and occasional drinkers (P=0.004, 0.006). Nasal SCPs VD at the OD was higher in monthly drinkers compared to never drinkers (P=0.005). There was no significant difference FAZ area among the groups (P=0.071).

Both superficial and deep microvascular structures in the inferior quadrants of macula are positively correlated with frequency of alcohol use. Also in our study results is that the monthly drinker group has uniquely higher VDs in both macula and OD. This leads us to consider moderate alcohol consumption may also have protective effects on retinal microcirculation.