Visual function and retinal vessel diameters during hyperthermia in man

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effect of elevated core body temperature on temporal and spatial contrast sensitivity and retinal vessel diameters.

Methods: The study included 13 healthy volunteers aged 20-37 years. Core body temperature elevation (target +1.1°C) was induced by wrapping the participants in cling film, tinfoil and warming blankets. Subsequent cooling was achieved by undressing. Flicker sensitivity (critical flicker fusion frequency) was chosen to assess temporal resolution, while the Freiburg Vision Test was used to determine spatial contrast sensitivity at 1.5 cycles per degree. Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy was used to measure retinal trunk vessel diameters. Assessment was made at baseline, during hyperthermia and after cooling.

Results: The induction of a mean increase in core body temperature of 1.02°C was associated with a 7.15-mmHg mean reduction in systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), a 10.6-mmHg mean reduction in diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), a mean increase in pulse rate of 36.3 bpm (p < 0.0001), a 2.66% improvement in flicker sensitivity (CI₉₅ 1.37-3.94, p < 0.001), a 2.80% increase in retinal artery diameters (CI₉₅ 1.09-4.51, p < 0.01) and a 2.95% increase in retinal vein diameters (CI₉₅ 0.96-4.94, p < 0.01). There was no detectable effect of temperature on spatial contrast sensitivity. All ocular test parameters returned to baseline levels after cooling.

Conclusion: Increased core body temperature was accompanied by improved temporal visual resolution and retinal trunk vessel dilation. The results suggest that hyperthermia is associated with enhanced retinal function and increased retinal metabolism.

Keywords: body temperature; contrast sensitivity; flicker fusion; retina/blood supply; retina/metabolism.