Comparison of CCD-equipped laser speckle flowgraphy with hydrogen gas clearance method in the measurement of optic nerve head microcirculation in rabbits

The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between mean blur rate (MBR) obtained with CCD-equipped laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and capillary blood flow (CBF) obtained by the hydrogen gas clearance method in rabbit optic nerve head (ONH). Using Japanese white rabbits under systemic anesthesia, a hydrogen electrode was inserted an area of the ONH free from superficial capillaries. MBR was measured with LSFG near the hydrogen electrode. CBF and MBR were measured in the range of 32.4–83.5 mL/min/100 g and 3.5–6.0, respectively. MBR and CBF were significantly correlated (r = 0.73, P < 0.01, n = 14). After inhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2) or intravenous administration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), MBR and CBF were changed in the relative range of 0.74–1.27 and 0.76–1.35, respectively. The relative changes in MBR and CBF induced by CO2 and ET-1 were also significantly correlated (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). The current results suggest that MBR may correlate with CBF and also change with CBF, as an index of blood flow in the ONH, linearly.

► CCD-equipped LSFG was compared with hydrogen gas clearance method in rabbits.
► ONH blood flow was measured simultaneously by LSFG and hydrogen gas clearance method.
► Absolute values of MBR and capillary blood flow were significantly correlated.
► Relative changes of MBR and capillary blood flow were also significantly correlated.