Purpose
To analyze natural variability in pupillary contractility with dynamic volume-rendered optical coherence tomography (OCT) pupillometry regarding iris color, age, and sex in healthy Caucasian participants.
Methods
The intrapupillary spaces (IPSs) derived from anterior segment swept-source OCT of 71 healthy eyes were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline scotopic and photopic volumes and the functional parameters of pupillary ejection fraction (PEF), three-dimensional (3D) contractility, and relative light response (RLR) were measured on the swept-source OCT volumes. The effect on these parameters of iris color (brown, green, and blue), age, and sex was assessed.
Results
More pigmented irises were more contractile than less pigmented irises. Iris color significantly affected scotopic baseline IPSs (brown, 10.39 ± 4.86 mm
3
; green, 9.68 ± 3.31 mm
3
; blue, 6.75 ± 4.27 mm
3
;
P
= 0.018), PEF (brown, 90.8% ± 2.7%; green, 89.1% ± 2.5%; blue, 85.0% ± 9.3%;
P
= 0.010), 3D contractility (brown, 9.52 ± 4.59 mm
3
; green, 8.66 ± 3.07 mm
3
; blue, 6.44 ± 4.87 mm
3
;
P
= 0.016), and RLR (brown, 11.90 ± 4.03; green, 9.75 ± 2.73; blue, 8.52 ± 3.88;
P
= 0.026). Absolute scotopic volume (
P
= 0.022) and 3D contractility (
P
= 0.024) decreased with age. Sex showed no correlations.
Conclusions
The natural variability of pupillary contractility can be analyzed with dynamic OCT pupillometry. Iris color and age can impact pupillary response with this method.
Translational Relevance
Iris contractility parameters can be measured using a commercially available OCT system, allowing for quantification of the aqueous humor volume inside the pupil.