Study of the Choroidal Thickness Variations After Ingestion of RedBull® Energy Drink

The choroid is a richly vascularized conjunctive tissue, providing the nutritive elements to the pigmentary epithelium and the photoreceptors of the retina. It drains 80% of the eye's blood. The choroidal thickness fluctuates according to the state of fullness of its constitutive vessels. The choroid and the neuroretina (separate by the pigmentary epithelium) are intimately linked and are subject to modifications during the ingestion of caffeine and taurine combined. Several authors have shown a significant decrease of the choroidal thickness lasting at least 4 hours after the ingestion of a small coffee. This decrease may be caused by caffeine's vasoconstrictor effect. Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the retina. Recent studies have shown the importance of this amino acid in the physiology of both, retinal pigmentary epithelium and retinal ganglion cells.

RedBull® is an energizing drink, where one single 25 cl can contains 80 mg of caffeine (the equivalent of a coffee mug) and 1 g of taurine.

This pilot trial aims to study the variations of the choroidal thickness and to describe possible modifications within the pigmentary epithelium, due to the ingestion of caffeine and taurine. The results of this study will act as a reference for an ulterior trial aiming specific choroidal pathologies of young patients, such as the central serous chorioretinitis.