Normative intercapillary distance and vessel density data in the temporal retina assessed by wide-field spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography

A limitation of conventional optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is the limited field of view normally used in data acquisition. As the technology improves, larger fields of view that capture information away from the macular are being explored in order to provide an enhanced ability to detect pathology. However, normative measurements for important OCTA metrics like vessel density and intercapillary distance are not currently well-characterized in the peripheral retina. In this prospective study, we measured vessel density and intercapillary distance of the superficial vascular complex, ganglion cell layer plexus, and deep capillary plexus in montaged macular/temporal scans from 53 (33 men) healthy volunteers. Vessel density and intercapillary distance were also compared across different regions of the retina, including along arcs at separate distance from the fovea. Compared to the central macular region, the temporal retina had significantly lower vessel density, decreased thickness, and greater intercapillary distance in the superficial vascular complex, GCLP ganglion cell layer plexus, and deep capillary plexus (Wilcoxon rank sum test P < 0.001), with each of the plexuses examined here showing a general decrease in vessel density and an increase in intercapillary distance towards the temporal region. No significant difference was noted comparing corresponding vessel density and intercapillary distance regions above and below the macula, and multiple linear regression showed that age and intraocular pressure were not associated with vessel density and intercapillary distance in most models. Repeatability analysis reported as intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability of vessel density and intercapillary distance in all OCTA layers. These results should help provide an enhanced baseline to help identify vascular pathology in the peripheral retina.

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Macular vessel density differs in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An optical coherence tomography angiography study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253417 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253417

Author(s):

Małgorzata Rogaczewska ◽

Sławomir Michalak ◽

Marcin Stopa

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Vessel Density ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder ◽

Capillary Plexus

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are inflammatory and demyelinating diseases that commonly manifest with optic neuritis (ON) but differ in the pathogenic mechanism. Although it was shown that retinal vessels might alter in MS and NMOSD, a comparative study has not been reported. This study evaluated the macular vessel density in 40 MS patients, 13 NMOSD patients, and 20 controls using optical coherence tomography angiography. The vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) was significantly lower in ON eyes (MS+ON, NMOSD+ON) than in non-ON eyes (MS-ON, NMOSD-ON) and controls. The density of deep capillary plexus (DCP) was significantly increased in MS+ON and MS-ON eyes compared to healthy eyes. In NMOSD+ON and NMOSD-ON, the DCP did not remarkably differ from the control group. A significant positive correlation was noted between SCP and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in MS+ON, MS-ON, and NMOSD+ON. The DCP did not significantly correlate with GCC thickness, but it increased or decreased with ganglion cell loss in MS and NMOSD, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the capillary changes in MS patients are secondary to ganglion cells’ atrophy, while vasculopathy seems to be a primary process in NMOSD patients.

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Normative data on the foveal avascular zone in a young healthy Irish population using optical coherence tomography angiography

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/11206721211073446 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 112067212110734

Author(s):

Susan M. O'Shea ◽

Veronica M. O’Dwyer ◽

Grainne Scanlon

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Normative Data ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Ganglion Cell Layer ◽

Cell Layer ◽

Vessel Density ◽

Foveal Avascular Zone ◽

Irish Population ◽

Avascular Zone

Purpose To establish normative data on the size, shape and vascular profile of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in a young, healthy, Irish population, using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT. Certain diseases may alter FAZ appearance. Normative databases provide normal baseline values for comparison, thus improving diagnostic ability. Methods One hundred and fifty-four subjects aged 18–35 years old were recruited. Superficial FAZ area, diameter, circularity, ganglion cell layer, central macular thickness (CMT), vascular perfusion and density were measured using the Cirrus 5000. Axial length was measured with the IOL Master and blood pressure was measured using the Omron sphygmomanometer. Results Mean FAZ area was 0.22 ± 0.07 mm2, mean CMT was 263.08 ± 18.73μm. Both were larger in females than males (p = 0.022, p = 0.000). Mean vessel density and perfusion central were 14.11 ± 2.77 mm/mm2 and 24.70 ± 4.96% respectively. Both were lower in females (p = 0.010, p = 0.019). Vessel density and perfusion inner correlated positively with minimum ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) thickness (p = 0.001, p = 0.019). CMT correlated positively with vessel density and perfusion central (p = 0.000 for both) and negatively with FAZ area (p = 0.000). Conclusions This study provides normative data for FAZ appearance and vascularity for the first time in a young, healthy, Irish population, using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT. Establishing machine and population specific normative data, particularly in relation to vessel density and perfusion is paramount to the early identification of ocular disease using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

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Asymmetry analysis of optical coherence tomography angiography macular perfusion density measurements in preperimetric and perimetric glaucoma

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-71757-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pei-Yao Chang ◽

Jiun-Yi Wang ◽

Jia-Kang Wang ◽

Shih-Cheng Yeh ◽

Shu-Wen Chang

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Layer Thickness ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Ganglion Cell Layer ◽

Cell Layer ◽

Inner Plexiform Layer ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Perfusion Density

Abstract Macular retinal layer thickness asymmetry indices, particularly for the ganglion cell layer, are promising early indicators of glaucomatous damage. We evaluated macular perfusion density asymmetry (MPDA) among normal, preperimetric glaucoma (PPG), and perimetric glaucoma (PG) eyes, and we tested the performance of MPDA in differentiating between control and glaucoma eyes with or without visual field (VF) defects. In this study, 116 eyes (39 normal, 27 PPG, and 50 PG eyes) with optical coherence tomography angiography images of the macula were analysed. No significant difference was found in outer and inner MPDA between the control and PPG groups. However, outer MPDA was significantly higher in the PG group than in the PPG group (p = 0.009). Asymmetry of perfusion density and structural parameters was compared; no significant difference was found between controls and glaucoma patients. Outer MPDA had significantly higher discrimination ability between PPG and PG than did macular ganglion cell layer–inner plexiform layer thickness asymmetry (p = 0.039). In conclusion, the discriminant capability of MPDA for discriminating between glaucoma patients with and without VF defects is significantly higher than that of structural asymmetry. MPDA may be helpful in monitoring glaucoma progression in clinical practice.

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Retinal vascularity, nerve fiber, and ganglion cell layer thickness in thyroid eye disease on optical coherence tomography angiography

Orbit ◽

10.1080/01676830.2020.1846761 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Tarjani Vivek Dave ◽

Srujana Laghmisetty ◽

Gayatri Krishnamurthy ◽

Kavya Bejjanki ◽

Anasua Ganguly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Nerve Fiber ◽

Layer Thickness ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Ganglion Cell Layer ◽

Cell Layer ◽

Thyroid Eye Disease ◽

Eye Disease ◽

Optical Coherence

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Macular vessel density differs in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-120472/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Małgorzata Rogaczewska ◽

Sławomir Michalak ◽

Marcin Stopa

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Vessel Density ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder ◽

Capillary Plexus

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are inflammatory and demyelinating diseases that commonly manifest with optic neuritis (ON) but differ in the pathogenic mechanism. Although it was shown that retinal vessels might alter in MS and NMOSD, a comparative study has not been reported. This study evaluated the macular vessel density in 40 MS patients, 13 NMOSD patients, and 20 controls by using optical coherence tomography angiography. The vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) was significantly lower in ON eyes (MS + ON, NMOSD + ON) than in non-ON eyes (MS-ON, NMOSD-ON) and controls. The density of deep capillary plexus (DCP) was significantly increased in MS + ON, and MS-ON eyes compared to healthy eyes and decreased in NMOSD + ON compared to MS + ON. A significant positive correlation was noted between SCP and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in MS + ON, MS-ON, and NMOSD + ON. The DCP did not significantly correlate with GCC thickness, but it increased or decreased with ganglion cell loss in MS and NMOSD, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the capillary changes in MS patients are secondary to the reduced metabolic demand of the atrophied ganglion cell layer, while the vasculopathy seems to be a primary process in NMOSD patients.

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Thickness of the Macula, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Ganglion Cell Layer in the Epiretinal Membrane: The Repeatability Study of Optical Coherence Tomography

Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science ◽

10.1167/iovs.15-16949 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 56 (8) ◽

pp. 4554 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Haeng-Jin Lee ◽

Min-Su Kim ◽

Young-Joon Jo ◽

Jung-Yeul Kim

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Nerve Fiber ◽

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer ◽

Epiretinal Membrane ◽

Ganglion Cell Layer ◽

Cell Layer ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Fiber Layer ◽

Nerve Fiber Layer

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Analysis of the ganglion cell layer and photoreceptor layer using optical coherence tomography after idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery

Graefe s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology ◽

10.1007/s00417-014-2684-5 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 253 (2) ◽

pp. 207-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sung Who Park ◽

Ik Soo Byon ◽

Ho Yun Kim ◽

Ji Eun Lee ◽

Boo Sup Oum

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Ganglion Cell ◽

Epiretinal Membrane ◽

Ganglion Cell Layer ◽

Cell Layer ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane ◽

Photoreceptor Layer

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Optical coherence tomography angiography in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672119895701 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 1418-1423 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Claudio Furino ◽

Grazia Montrone ◽

Maria Vittoria Cicinelli ◽

Stefania Balestra ◽

Maria Oliva Grassi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Vessel Density ◽

Foveal Avascular Zone ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Avascular Zone ◽

Capillary Plexus ◽

Superficial Capillary Plexus

Purpose: To investigate a subset of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy with optical coherence tomography angiography, assessing the differences in macular perfusion between diseased eyes and healthy controls. Methods: Monocentric cross-sectional study, including 86 eyes from 43 diabetic patients with no clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy and 78 eyes from 39 controls. Patients underwent 3.0 × 3.0 mm and 4.5 × 4.5 mm swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Vessel density (%), foveal avascular zone area (mm2), and avascular density (%) were provided for the superficial capillary plexus and the deep capillary plexus. Results: The foveal avascular zone area at the superficial capillary plexus was larger in the study group compared to controls, irrespective of the area of the slab considered. A meaningful difference was found in the vessel density at the deep capillary plexus of the 3.0 × 3.0 mm slab (p = 0.03). Almost all the variables considered in the study showed a significant within-subject effect. Age significantly correlated with vessel density of superficial capillary plexus on 4.5 × 4.5 mm in both control and diabetic eyes. Conclusion: Diabetic patients with subclinical diabetic retinopathy feature a larger foveal avascular zone at the superficial capillary plexus compared with controls, as well as relative reduction of the vessel density at the deep capillary plexus. These findings might serve as the basis for screening between normal and diabetic subjects.

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Comparison of the Repeatability of Macular Vascular Density Measurements Using Four Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Systems

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/4372580 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jingyuan Yang ◽

Mingzhen Yuan ◽

Erqian Wang ◽

Youxin Chen

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Vessel Density ◽

Vascular Density ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Capillary Plexus ◽

Scan Pattern

The aim of this study was to compare the repeatability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) measurements of macular vessel density using four OCT-A systems, including Heidelberg Spectralis HRA, Optovue RTVue XR, Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 5000, and Topcon DRI OCT Triton. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. The vascular density and vascular length density of the superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses were imaged with OCT-A using 3 mm and 6 mm scan patterns and were calculated using ImageJ. Comparisons of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were conducted. We found that the OCT-A systems had various levels of repeatability. Zeiss had better repeatability for vessel density than the other systems (overall ICC = 0.936). Optovue had better repeatability for vessel length density when the 6 mm scan pattern was used (ICC = 0.680 and 0.700 for retinal superficial and deep capillary plexus, respectively). We concluded that repeatability varied when different scan patterns of various OCT-A systems were used for imaging the superficial retinal and deep capillary plexuses. Results should be seen as valid only for a given method. The repeatability of various OCT-A systems should be considered in clinical practice and in clinical trials that use OCT-A metrics as outcome measures.

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