scholarly journals The role of quantitative deep capillary plexus in the pathogenesis of type 3 macular neovascularization: an optical coherence tomography angiography study

Author(s):  
Marina Concilio ◽  
Federica Fossataro ◽  
Daniela Montorio ◽  
Mariapaola Giordano ◽  
Gilda Cennamo

Abstract Purpose To quantitatively investigate the role of deep capillary plexus (DCP) in patients affected by type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV), compared to patients with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) eyes and healthy controls, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods In this prospective observational study, a total of seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients were included. Group 1 consisted of 40 eyes of 40 patients with stage 1 of type 3 MNV (22 males, 18 females, mean age 73.7, SD ± 6.60) and group 2 included 38 eyes of 38 patients with RPD (17 males, 21 females, mean age 73.2, SD ± 4.55). The control group included 40 eyes of 40 healthy subjects (20 males, 20 females, mean age 71.4, SD ± 6.36 years). We evaluated the retinal vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) using OCTA. Results Patients with diagnosis of type 3 MNV showed statistically lower values of VD in DCP with respect to controls and to RPD group (p < 0.001), while there were no statistical differences between RPD and control group in macular region. No significant differences in VD of SCP were detected among the three study groups. Conclusion OCTA provides a reproducible, non-invasive detailed quantitative analysis of retinal vascular features and changing in early-stage type 3 MNV patients, which allowed to shed the light on the main role of DCP ischemia in the development of type 3 MNV.

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Carnevali ◽  
Giuseppe Giannaccare ◽  
Valentina Gatti ◽  
Caterina Battaglia ◽  
Giorgio Randazzo ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To investigate subclinical and clinical abnormalities in retinal and choroidal vascular plexuses in patients with SSc by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods A total of 20 consecutive SSc patients were recruited and compared with 20 healthy subjects. Quantitative analysis of vessel density (VD), choriocapillaris plexus flow index (CCP-FI) and choroidal vascularity index were performed on OCT-A images in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and CCP for all patients. Images were further reviewed by two independent readers for the assessment of qualitative abnormalities, including tortuosity, rarefaction areas, megacapillaries and macular-foveal capillaries. Results The DCP-VD in the whole scan and in the perifoveal, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal regions was significantly lower in the SSc group. The CCP-FI was significantly higher in SSc patients. When comparing SSc patients with and without digital ulcers, significantly decreased SCP-VD was demonstrated in the whole, perifoveal, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal regions. No difference in any of the OCT-A parameters was observed when comparing patients with and without interstitial lung disease. Qualitative analysis of OCT-A revealed at least one abnormality in 95% of patients. Conclusion We showed the ability of OCT-A to disclose early ocular vascular abnormalities in patients with SSc. Our results may represent a hypothesis-generating basis for exploring the potential role of OCT-A in diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis stratification in SSc.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Ananya Goswami ◽  
Abhidnya Surve ◽  
Pradeep Venkatesh

Von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is characterized by focal vasoproliferative tumors of retinal capillaries called retinal capillary hemangio-blastomas (RCH). These tumors are initially small and can be easily missed if not looked for carefully. As they grow, these tumors are more demanding to treat and hence the importance of detecting them early and treating them. Herein, we describe and review the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of the early-stage lesion, which suggested the involvement of superficial and a deeper retinal capillary plexus. In addition, to helping us detect these lesions earlier, OCTA may also help to understand the in vivo changes occurring at an earlier phase.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-607
Author(s):  
Elif Güler Kazancı ◽  
Muhammet Furkan Korkmaz ◽  
Mehmet Erol Can

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate retinal vascular parameters by optical coherence tomography angiography in β-thalassemia major patients. Methods: Thirty-three patients with β-thalassemia major (study group) and 29 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a complete ocular examination. The mean foveal avascular zone, non-flow area, foveal avascular zone perimeter, acircularity index of foveal avascular zone, foveal density, the superficial capillary plexus, and deep capillary plexus were scanned using 6 × 6 mm optical coherence tomography angiography scans centered on the macula. Superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus were also scanned centered on the optic disk. We collected data on histories of patients, and hemoglobin and ferritin were also studied from both groups. Results: The mean age was 13.85 ± 4.69 years (range: 4–21 years) in β-thalassemia major group and 12.59 ± 3.66 years (range: 6–18 years) in the control group. The mean foveal avascular zone value was 0.265 ± 0.11 mm2 in the study group and 0.296 ± 0.12 mm2 in the control group. The mean non-flow area value was 0.468 ± 0.12 mm2 in the study group and 0.479 ± 0.14 mm2 in the control group ( p > 0.05). Differences in the mean values for foveal density and acircularity index were statistically significant between the study group and control group ( p < 0.05, p = 0.026, and p = 0.026, respectively). Superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus were not a significant difference between the study and control groups in 6 × 6 mm scans on macula and 4.5 × 4.5 mm scans on optic disk area ( p > 0.05). Acircularity index was negatively correlated ( r = −0.292, p = 0.026), and foveal density was positively correlated with hemoglobin ( r = 0.292, p = 0.026). Conclusion: By using optical coherence tomography angiography, we detected foveal microvascular changes in young β-thalassemia patients before significant ocular anomalies development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Marko Zlatanović ◽  
Jasmina Đorđević Jocić ◽  
Vesna Jakšić ◽  
Nevena Zlatanović ◽  
Mlađan Golubović ◽  
...  

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to analyze the alterations in the density of retinal blood vessels and the choriocapillaris (VD) in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One hundred sixty-six eyes of 83 patients (43 of whom were men and 40 women, with a mean age of 58.59 ± 14.04) with T2DM and without diabetic retinopathy were examined for the purpose of conducting the observational prospective study. The control group (CG) consisted of 66 eyes in 33 healthy subjects (15 male and 18 female, with a mean age of 55.12 ± 12.70). The measurement regions of vessel density (VD) included the deep capillary plexus (DCP), the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and the choriocapillaris. The results indicate considerable differences in the VD of the DCP and SCP when comparing the control group with the study groups ( p < 0.001 ). In comparison with the control group ( p < 0.001 ), there was a statistically significant reduction in the VD of the choriocapillaris in the study group. Furthermore, patients with T2DM showed a significantly decreased VD concerning the control in different macular regions. Thickness in several macular regions in the study group significantly decreased compared to the ones in the control group. OCTA was used to gather relevant information about the vascular changes which occurred in T2DM patients, assessed through the quantitative analysis of the blood flow in the retina and choriocapillaris.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Montorio ◽  
Luca D’Andrea ◽  
Gilda Cennamo

In this prospective study, we analysed the changes in retinal vessel density (VD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with commotio retinae up to 6 months after blunt ocular trauma. We analysed the VD in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area at 48 h, and 1, 3 and 6 months after the trauma and compared results with those of healthy fellow eyes. We also evaluated the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the structural, spectral domain (SD)-OCT parameters: ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). A total of 18 eyes of 18 patients (8 males, 10 females, mean age 49.61 ± 9.2 years) and 18 healthy control eyes were evaluated. GCC and RNFL thicknesses showed a significant trend towards progressively lower values from 1 month and 3 months after the trauma, respectively, compared to healthy eyes (p < 0.005). The reduction in SD-OCT parameters reached a plateau at 6 months. Similar behaviour was found in the VD of the SCP and RPC that significantly decreased, starting from 1 and 3 months after the trauma, respectively (p < 0.001). At 6 months, the VD values were stable. The DCP presented an initial decrease of VD (p < 0.001), and after 1 month, the values statistically increased until the sixth month, reaching values similar to those of the control group. The FAZ area and BCVA did not show statistically significant changes during the follow-up. OCTA provided a detailed and quantitative analysis of early retinal vascular perfusion alterations after commotio retinae, demonstrating that the impairment of the retinal microvasculature and its progressive changes over time occurred even in the absence of compromised visual acuity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Torkashvand ◽  
Hamid Riazi-Esfahani ◽  
Fariba Ghassemi ◽  
Elias Khalili Pour ◽  
Babak Masoomian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To assess the impact of brachytherapy on macular microvasculature utilizing optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in treated choroidal melanoma. Methods In this retrospective observational case series, we reviewed the recorded data of the patients with unilateral extramacular choroidal melanoma treated with ruthenium − 106 (106Ru) plaque radiotherapy with a follow-up period of more than 6 months. Automatically measured OCTA retinal parameters were analysed after image processing. Results Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients with the mean age of 51.1 years were recruited. Six eyes had no radiation maculopathy (RM). From 25 eyes with RM, nine eyes (36%) revealed a burnout macular microvasculature with imperceptible vascular details. Twenty-one non-irradiated fellow eyes from the enrolled patients were considered as the control group. Foveal and optic disc radiation dose had the highest value to predict the burnout pattern (ROC, AUC: 0.763, 0.727). Superficial and deep foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were larger in irradiated eyes in comparison to non-irradiated fellow eyes (1629 μm2 vs. 428 μm2, P = 0.005; 1837 μm2 vs 268 μm2, P = 0.021; respectively). Foveal and parafoveal vascular area density (VAD) and vascular skeleton density (VSD) in both superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) were decreased in all irradiated eyes in comparison with non-irradiated fellow eyes (P < 0.001). Compared with non-irradiated fellow eyes, irradiated eyes without RM had significantly lower VAD and VSD at foveal and parafoveal DCP (all P < 0.02). However, these differences at SCP were not statistically significant. Conclusion The OCTA is a valuable tool for evaluating RM. Initial subclinical microvascular insult after 106Ru brachytherapy is more likely to occur in DCP. The deep FAZ area was identified as a more critical biomarker of BCVA than superficial FAZ in these patients.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Zhu ◽  
Xun Liu

Abstract Background To analyze the optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA) and microperimetry features in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy(NDR group) and patients with early stage of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR group). Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 24 eyes of the NDR group, 24 eyes of the NPDR group, and 24 eyes of healthy volunteers(control group). OCTA was used to measure foveal avascular zone(FAZ), vessel flow density of superficial capillary plexus(SCP) and deep capillary plexus(DCP) in the macular area(3×3mm). The latest version of microperimeter, MP-3, was used to quantitate retinal light sensitivity and fixation stability in the central 10° of the macular region. Results The NPDR group had a larger FAZ area, reduced vessel flow densities of both SCP and DCP, deceased retinal sensitivity and less stable fixation compared with the control group. Statistical differences were only found in the FAZ area, vessel flow density of DCP and retinal sensitivity between the NDR and the NDPR group. Conclusions The FAZ enlargement, vessel flow density decrease and retinal sensitivity reduction may be morphological and functional indicators of progression of diabetic retinopathy. Microvascular alterations in deep capillary plexus may precede superficial capillary alterations in diabetic retinopathy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gülay Yalçınkaya ◽  
Çiğdem Altan ◽  
Berna Başarır ◽  
İhsan Çakır

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the changes in retinal microvasculature in eyes with anterior uveitis (AU) using optical coherence tomography angiography.Methods: Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), vessel density (VD) of SCP, DCP, and choriocapillaris, and central macular thickness (CMT) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were calculated from 34 healthy and 41 uveitic eyes. The parameters were compared between the two groups.Results: The deep FAZ was significantly lower in the eyes with AU during the attack than after recovery and the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). The VD in deep capillary plexus (DCP) in eyes with AU during the attack was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.048). The VD in the foveal sector of DCP in eyes with AU during the attack and after recovery was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.031, respectively). There was no significant difference regarding CMT, CFT, VDs of each segment and each sector, and superficial and deep FAZ between eyes with first uveitis attack and those with recurrent uveitis during the attack and after recovery (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show that there is a reduction in the FAZ and an increase in the VD of the DCP of the retina during active AU, and these findings are reversible. Acute AU may affect the macular microvasculature, which is usually temporary, especially in the DCP.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 808
Author(s):  
Max Philipp Brinkmann ◽  
Nikolas Xavier Kibele ◽  
Michelle Prasuhn ◽  
Vinodh Kakkassery ◽  
Mario Damiano Toro ◽  
...  

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive tool for imaging and quantifying the retinal and choroidal perfusion state in vivo. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of isometric and dynamic exercise on retinal and choroidal sublayer perfusion using OCTA. A pilot study was conducted on young, healthy participants, each of whom performed a specific isometric exercise on the first day and a dynamic exercise the day after. At baseline and immediately after the exercise, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), superficial capillary plexus perfusion (SCPP), deep capillary plexus perfusion (DCPP), choriocapillaris perfusion (CCP), Sattlers’s layer perfusion (SLP), and Haller’s layer perfusion (HLP) were recorded. A total of 34 eyes of 34 subjects with a mean age of 32.35 ± 7.87 years were included. HR as well as MAP increased significantly after both types of exercise. Both SCPP and DCPP did not show any significant alteration due to isometric or dynamic exercise. After performing dynamic exercise, CCP, SLP, as well as HLP significantly increased. Changes in MAP correlated significantly with changes in HLP after the dynamic activity. OCTA-based analysis in healthy adults following physical activity demonstrated a constant retinal perfusion, supporting the theory of autoregulatory mechanisms. Dynamic exercise, as opposed to isometric activity, significantly changed choroidal perfusion. OCTA imaging may represent a novel and sensitive tool to expand the diagnostic spectrum in the field of sports medicine.


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