THE ACUTE EFFECT OF CIGARETTE-SMOKING ON MACULAR CAPILLARY BLOOD-FLOW IN HUMANS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (5) , 609-613
Abstract
The acute effect of cigarette smoking on retinal macular blood flow was studied in 14 healthy habitual smokers using the blue field simulation technique. This technique provides a method for quantifying the velocity of leukocytes flowing in one''s own macular capillaries. Subjects adjusted the mean velocity of computer simulated leukocytes moving on a CRT screen to match that of their own entoptically perceived leukocytes before, during, and immediately after smoking a cigarette. Smoking resulted in a 12 .+-. 5% (SEM) increase in macular leukocyte velocity and presumably blood flow. Possible mechanisms for this increase are discussed.