Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Consumption On Retinal Microcirculation In Healthy Subjects: An Optic Coherence Tomography Angiography Study Effects of Chronic Alcohol on Retinal Microcirculation

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on retinal microcirculation by comparing different alcohol-consuming groups using optical coherence tomography angiography. Methods A total of 160 participants were divided into five groups: never, occasional, monthly, weekly and daily drinkers. Measurements of central subfield thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, foveal avascular zone and vessel density in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses in both the macular and optic disc regions were recorded. Results The mean central subfield thickness was 216,6 ± 14,2 µm and the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 358,9 ± 84,5 µm. There was no statistically significantly difference between the groups (p = 0,890, p = 0,799). Foveal superficial capillary plexuses vessel density was higher in monthly drinkers compared to occasional drinkers (p = 0.015). Foveal vessel density in deep capillary plexus was also higher in monthly drinkers than in never and occasional drinkers (p = 0.004, p = 0.006). Nasal superficial capillary plexuses vessel density at the optic disc was higher in monthly drinkers compared to never drinkers (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference between the foveal avascular zone area of the groups (p = 0,071). Conclusions Moderate alcohol consumption may have a protective effect on retinal microcirculation.