The effect of bariatric surgery on the retrobulbar flow hemodynamic parameters in patients with obesity: color Doppler evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of weight loss on the retrobulbar hemodynamics in patients who had undergone bariatric surgery for obesity using color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and to evaluate correlations with intraocular pressure (IOP) changes measured using Goldman applanation tonometry.

Methods: Thirty-two patients were included in this prospective study. Body mass index (BMI), IOP measurements, and retrobulbar CDU examination were performed on all individuals 6 months before and after bariatric surgery.

Results: The preoperative mean BMI value was 48.8 ± 2.27 kg/m, and mean IOP value was 18.2 ± 2.06 mmHg. At 6 months postoperatively, mean BMI and IOP were 36.28 ± 5.41 kg/m and 16.1 ± 1.81 mmHg which was statistically significantly lower than the preoperative measurements (p < 0.001). In the comparison of pre- and postoperative orbital CDU value, the preoperative OA PSV (30.16 ± 5.31 cm/s) and OA EDV (10.93 ± 3.04) values were significantly lower than the postoperative OA PSV (36.21 ± 5.56) and OA EDV (12.84 ± 3.38) values (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). A significant correlation was determined between BMI and IOP (r = -0.443; p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Decrease in body weight resulting from bariatric surgery performed on morbid obese patients causes alterations in both IOP and retrobulbar hemodynamics. Morbidly obese patients who undergo bariatric surgery have statistically significantly lower IOP values and increase in OA Doppler parameters (PSV, EDV) than in the preoperative period, which reflects a better retrobulbar and ocular blood flow.