Retinal oxygen saturation in health and disease

AbstractPurpose Measurements of retinal vessel oxygen saturation can provide insight into the nature of several eye diseases.Methods Dual wavelength oximeters are used by our group and others. They measure light absorbance at one oxygen‐sensitive and one oxygen‐insensitive wavelength and use the absorbance values to calculate retinal vessel oxygen saturation.Results Oxygen saturation in the larger retinal venules is decreased in central retinal vein occlusion but increased in diabetic retinopathy and age‐related macular degeneration. In glaucoma, retinal venous oxygen saturation increases with increased visual field defect.Conclusion Oxygen saturation in the larger retinal vessels, particularly the venules, reflects the balance between oxygen supply and oxygen consumption in the retina. In glaucoma, for example, a rise in the retinal venous oxygen saturation is most likely due to tissue atrophy and less oxygen consumption. Oxygen saturation in the larger vessels can also be affected by the efficiency of oxygen distribution by the retinal capillaries. Increased retinal venous oxygen saturation in diabetic retinopathy may for example partly be explained by shunting of blood through preferential channels in the capillary network. Commercial interest