MedPath

Retinal and Choroidal Circulation Changes Following Rapid Ascent to a High Altitude Environment

Completed
Conditions
High Altitude Retinopathy
Registration Number
NCT04491500
Lead Sponsor
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
Brief Summary

This is a prospective observational study. The purpose is to explore the effect of high altitude hypobaric hypoxia on retinal microcirculation and the change of the thickness of the retina and choroid by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Detailed Description

Yushu is in Qinghai-Tibet plateau, an average altitude of 4000 m. The medical staff is limited in Yushu. Zhongshan ophthalmic center, sun yat-sen university in Yushu blindness project has lasted many years. Some medical staff who arrived at Yushu will have a plateau response. The high altitude hypoxia on retinal microcirculation evaluated by OCTA has not been reported. The aim of the study is to observe the microcirculation changes after exploring a hypobaric and hypoxia environment using OCTA, and relation with the plateau response. OCTA is a non-invasive examination and could see the microcirculation of the fundus directly and quickly.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
13
Inclusion Criteria
  1. The subjects who plan to go to Yushu within one month.
  2. Did not live on the high altitude of more than 1000 meters within 6 months.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Unable and unwilling to provide informed consent.
  2. Any ocular disease may influence the retinal and choroidal circulation.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
retinal microcirculation changes1 month

the vascular density measured by OCTA

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Retinal thickness changes1 month

the retinal thickness measured by OCTA

Choroidal thickness changes1 month

the subfoveal choroidal thickness measured by OCTA

The changes of blood pressure including systolic and diastolic Blood Pressure1 month

The changes of blood pressure measured by Blood Pressure Meter

The correlation of retinal microcirculation with the altitude illness1 month

The relationship between retinal vascular density as measured by OCTA and the degree of altitude illness as measured by acute mountain sickness (AMS) scoring system

The changes of intraocular pressure1 month

The changes of intraocular pressure measured by icare Tonometer

The changes of blood oxygen1 month

The changes of blood Oxygen measured by Pulse Oximeter

the degree of altitude illness1 month

the degree of altitude illness was assessed by acute mountain sickness (AMS) scoring system

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Liang xiaoling

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Liang xiaoling
🇨🇳Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.