Retinal vascular diameter not affected by cataract surgery and changes to blood pressure

Cataract surgery and changes to blood pressure caused by sodium restriction has been shown to have no effect on retinal vascular diameter in a recent study published in Clinical Ophthalmology.

The study by Takatoshi Tano et al., from Jutendo University School of Medicine and the National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan, investigated the effect of cataract surgery and blood pressure fluctuations induced by one week of sodium restriction on retinal vascular diameter.

For one week 100 patients were restricted of sodium and 100 patients were not restricted of sodium. The diameter of the retinal vessels and blood pressure were compared between both groups; diameter being measured using an objective computer-based method.

The results demonstrated that after cataract surgery neither group experienced a change in diameter of retinal vessels. However, a notable reduction in blood pressure was seen in the sodium restriction group. Through multiple linear regression analyses performed by the researchers it was found that an increase in retinal arteriolar diameter was associated with diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and alcohol.

From the results it was concluded that cataract surgery and reduction in blood pressure caused by sodium restriction have no significant effect on retinal arteriolar diameter.