scholarly journals Correlation of retinal alterations with vascular structure of macular neovascularisation in swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in age-related macular degeneration

Author(s):  
Henrik Faatz ◽  
Kai Rothaus ◽  
Martin Ziegler ◽  
Marius Book ◽  
Georg Spital ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to find out whether the vascular architecture of untreated macular neovascularisations (MNV) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) as visualised with optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is associated with functional and known morphological alterations of the retina in optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods The study design was retrospective with consecutive patient inclusion. In 107 patients with newly diagnosed nAMD, MNV were detected by means of OCTA and automated quantitative vascular analysis was performed. The MNV characteristics measured were area, flow density, total vascular length (sumL), density of vascular nodes (numN), fractal dimension (FD) and average vascular width (avgW). These parameters were assessed for associations with vision (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), fluid distribution, the elevation of any pigment epithelial detachment (PED), the occurrence of subretinal haemorrhage and atrophy. Results BCVA was significantly worse with greater MNV area and sumL. Fluid distribution differed significantly in relation to area (p < 0.005), sumL (p < 0.005) and FD (p = 0.001). Greater PED height was significantly associated with higher numN (p < 0.05) and lower avgW (p < 0.05). Atrophy was present significantly more often in MNV with larger area (p < 0.05), higher sumL (p < 0.05) and higher flow density (p = 0.002). None of the MNV parameters had a significant association with CRT or the occurrence of haemorrhage. Conclusion OCTA is not restricted to evaluation of secondary changes but offers the opportunity to analyse the vascular structure of MNV in detail. Differences in vascular morphology are associated with certain secondary changes in retinal morphology. There are thus grounds for optimism that further research may identify and classify OCTA-based markers to permit more individualised treatment of nAMD.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2658
Author(s):  
Alexis Khorrami Kashi ◽  
Eric Souied ◽  
Selim Fares ◽  
Enrico Borrelli ◽  
Vittorio Capuano ◽  
...  

We evaluated the spectrum of choriocapillaris (CC) abnormalities in the fellow eyes of unilateral exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Fellow eyes of unilateral exudative AMD patients were prospectively included between May 2018 and October 2018. Patients underwent a multimodal imaging including a SS-OCTA. Demographics and clinical findings were analyzed. The estimated prevalence of macular neovascularization (MNV) was computed. Number and size of flow deficits (FDs) and percentage of flow deficits (FD%) were computed on the compensated CC flow images with the Fiji software. We included 97 eyes of 97 patients (mean age was 80 ± 7.66 years, 39 males, 58 females). The prevalence of MNV in the studied eyes was 8.25% (8/97 eyes). In the 89 non-neovascular eyes, FD% averaged 45.84% ± 11.63%, with a corresponding total area of FDs of 4.19 ± 1.12 mm2. There was a higher prevalence of drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment in eyes with subclinical neovascularization (p = 0.021). Fellow eyes with unilateral exudative AMD encompassed a series of CC abnormalities, from FDs of the aging CC to subclinical non-exudative MNV.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212091453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Rosa ◽  
Paolo Corazza ◽  
Maria Musolino ◽  
Chiara Mochi ◽  
Guido Maiello ◽  
...  

Reticular pseudodrusen are associated with a thinner choroid. The aim of our study was to determine the differences in central choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris vascular flow area between eyes with and without reticular pseudodrusen using swept-source optical coherence tomography and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. We conducted a retrospective case control study which included 27 eyes from 27 consecutive patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration and 17 eyes from 17 healthy participants. Complete ophthalmic examinations were carried out including axial length measurements; fundus color retinography; fundus autofluorescence; swept-source optical coherence tomography and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography; central choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris vascular flow area. Patients were classified as no reticular pseudodrusen, mild reticular pseudodrusen, and severe reticular pseudodrusen. Mean central choroidal thickness in patients exhibiting severe reticular pseudodrusen (110 ± 56 μm) was significantly smaller than in patients with no reticular pseudodrusen (201 ± 76 μm, p < 0.01). Mean choriocapillaris vascular flow area in severe reticular pseudodrusen patients (45.2% ± 3.0%) was also significantly less than in patients with no (47.9% ± 1.6%, p < 0.001) and mild reticular pseudodrusen (47.7% ± 1.0%, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression models confirmed the association of reticular pseudodrusen with central choroidal thickness (p < 0.001) and choriocapillaris vascular flow area (p < 0.01) even after accounting for age, axial length, and refractive error. Soft drusen were not associated with changes in either central choroidal thickness (p = 0.13) nor choriocapillaris vascular flow area (p = 0.29). A significant, positive relationship was found between central choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris vascular flow area (r = 0.44, p = 0.01). Therefore, both central choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris vascular flow area are decreased in eyes with reticular pseudodrusen, as compared to healthy eyes and intermediate age-related macular degeneration eyes not exhibiting reticular pseudodrusen. In addition, central choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris vascular flow area are related, and the reduction of either is directly associated to the severity of reticular pseudodrusen. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of these findings.


Author(s):  
Ignacio Flores-Moreno ◽  
Luis Arias-Barquet ◽  
Jorge Ruiz-Medrano ◽  
José M. Ruiz-Moreno ◽  
Josep M. Caminal

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