scholarly journals Association of Microvasculature and Macular Sensitivity in Idiopathic Macular Epiretinal Membrane: Using OCT Angiography and Microperimetry

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyang Feng ◽  
Xiaotong Yang ◽  
Mengqiao Xu ◽  
Yuwei Wang ◽  
Xiang Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factor ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Epiretinal Membrane ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Macular Function ◽  
Macular Sensitivity ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Superficial Capillary Plexus

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between retinal capillary structure and macular function in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and microperimetry.Methods: This retrospective and observational study included 30 idiopathic ERM eyes of 30 consecutive patients. OCTA was performed to evaluate macular microvasculature including the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and foveal avascular zone. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and microperimetry were measured at baseline and 3 months after surgery. Associations between macular microvasculature and visual function were assessed.Results: Visual function including BCVA and macular sensitivity improved significantly at 3 months post-operatively (p < 0.001). At baseline, BCVA was positively correlated with foveal or parafoveal sensitivities and negatively correlated with central foveal thickness (p < 0.05). Pre-operative foveal sensitivity was significantly correlated with the vessel density of foveal or parafoveal superficial capillary plexus (p < 0.05). A multiple regression model revealed that pre-operative vessel density of foveal deep capillary plexus was an independent positive prognostic factor for post-operative BCVA (B = −0.020 ± 0.006, p = 0.006) and macular sensitivity (B = 0.200 ± 0.081, p = 0.027).Conclusion: Integrated evaluation of iERM by using OCTA and microperimetry shows an association between microvasculature and macular sensitivity. Pre-operative vessel density of foveal deep capillary plexus assessed by OCTA may be a potentially valuable prognostic factor for iERM surgery.

Microvascular differences in amblyopic subgroups: An observational case–control study

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110658
Author(s):  
Müjdat Karabulut ◽  
Sinem Karabulut ◽  
Sabahattin Sül ◽  
Aylin Karalezli
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Flow Area ◽  
Avascular Zone ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Superficial Capillary Plexus ◽  
Control Study

Purpose To determine retinal microvascular differences among amblyopic subgroups and compare them with control eyes. Study Design This study was designed as an observational case–control study. Methods Twenty-three strabismic, 23 anisometropic, 22 meridional, 22 ametropic amblyopic eyes, and 24 healthy control eyes were included. The mean vessel densities in the deep and superficial capillary plexus, the foveal avascular zone area, the choriocapillaris flow area, and the foveal thickness were compared. Results Vessel density was markedly lower in all sectors of the amblyopic subgroups in the deep capillary plexus than in control eyes. Density was significantly lower in the superficial capillary plexus only in ametropic and meridional amblyopic eyes. Among these groups, the meridional amblyopic eyes had the largest choriocapillaris flow area ( p = 0.013) and the lowest vessel density in all sectors ( p < 0.001). The foveal avascular zone area was similar in all groups ( p = 0.561). The fovea was significantly thicker only in the anisometropic and meridional subgroups than control eyes ( p = 0.011, p = 0.001, respectively). The foveal avascular zone area was inversely related to the foveal thickness in all groups. Conclusion Retinal structural and microvascular differences were found among amblyopic subgroups. Optical coherence tomography angiography can noninvasively detect these variations, which may be related to the etiologic factors.

Optical coherence tomography angiography in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1418-1423 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Assessment of Foveal Avascular Zone and Macular Vascular Plexus Density in Children With Unilateral Amblyopia: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Gao ◽  
Yang Gao ◽  
Fengrong Hong ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Xiangwen Shu
Keyword(s):  
Microvessel Density ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Avascular Zone ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Fellow Eyes

Purpose: To examine the quantitative measurements of OCTA in children with amblyopia using the meta-analysis methodology.Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched for available papers up to March 2021. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were used to compare the retina parameters between the eyes with amblyopia and the contralateral eyes or healthy control eyes.Results: Twelve studies were included. When considering the parafovea, the microvessel density was reduced in amblyopic eyes compared with healthy control eyes in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) in 6 × 6 volume scan (WMD = −2.12, 95%CI: −3.24, −0.99) but not SCP in 3 × 3 volume scan (WMD = −1.43, 95%CI: −2.96, 0.11). In the deep capillary plexus (DCP), amblyopia did not decrease vessel density in the 6 × 6 volume scan (WMD = −2.22, 95%CI: −5.86, 1.42; I2 = 79.6%, P = 0.008), but a difference was observed in the whole eye 3 × 3 (WMD = −1.95, 95%CI: −3.23, −0.67; I2 = 27.5%, P = 0.252). There were no significant differences in the foveal avascular zone area and foveal thickness between amblyopic eyes and healthy control eyes. There were no significant differences in microvessel density, foveal avascular zone area, and foveal thickness between amblyopic eyes and fellow eyes.Conclusion: According to OCTA, amblyopic eyes had lower vessel density in parafoveal SCP and DCP compared with healthy control eyes, but not compared with fellow eyes. There were no significant differences regarding the foveal avascular zone area and foveal thickness between amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes.

scholarly journals Effects of Hydroxychloroquine on Retinal Vessel Density in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis over One-Year Follow-Up: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 9837
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Iacono ◽  
Stefano Da Pozzo ◽  
Alberto Bedendo ◽  
Monica Varano ◽  
Mariacristina Parravano
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Retinal Vessel ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One Year

Background: To employ optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Patients with recent diagnosis of “definite RA”, based on 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria, were included in a prospective, observational imaging study carried out by the G.B. Bietti Foundation between March 2019 and January 2020. Vessel density (VD) of SCP and DCP, central foveal thickness (CFT) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) values were collected by OCTA. The primary outcome measure was the VD alteration of SCP and DCP in RA-patients after one year of HCQ treatment. Results: OCTA data analysis showed no statistically significant reduction in the mean VD of SCP and DCP, including the mean global area, central subfield, inner ring and temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior sectors, as well as in the mean CFT and FAZ areas. Conclusions: OCTA demonstrated no early change in the VD in the SCP and DCP, in RA-patients after one year of HCQ treatment. A longer monitoring period would more precisely establish the treatment’s effect on the VD and its correlation with HCQ toxicity.

OCT retinal angiography features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110356
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Iacono ◽  
Stefano Da Pozzo ◽  
Alberto Bedendo ◽  
Alessandro Arrigo ◽  
Mariacristina Parravano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Value Assessment ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Central Foveal Thickness ◽  
Retinal Capillary ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
Retinal Microcirculation

Purpose: To evaluate the superficial (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) by mean of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in treatment-naïve patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Between March 2019 and January 2020, patients with recent diagnosis of “definite RA” based on 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria were included in a Prospective, observational single center case-control study carried out at G.B. Bietti Foundation. Data were compared with those of 16 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects. Values of the vessel density (VD) of SCP and DCP, central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were collected by mean of OCTA. Main outcome measure was the VD alteration of SCP and DCP in treatment-naïve RA-patients. Results: No difference in age, sex-distribution, best-corrected visual acuity, CFT was registered between the two groups. OCTA data analysis showed in RA-patients a statistically significant reduction in the VD in the mean global area, inner ring, especially in the superior quadrant of the SCP. A trend of VD reduction was also registered in temporal, nasal, and inferior quadrants, respectively, although it did not reach a statistically significant value. Assessment of VD of DCP and FAZ area did not evidence any difference among the groups. Conclusions: OCTA allows to highlight the vascular remodeling of the retinal microcirculation in RA-patients, even in early stages of the disease, demonstrating a reduction of VD. Outcomes of the current investigation can provide new insight in the pathogenetic mechanism of RA and extend the potential applications of this diagnostic tool.

scholarly journals The Difference in Repeatability of Automated Superficial Retinal Vessel Density according to the Measurement Area Using OCT Angiography

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hyung Bin Lim ◽  
Tae Seen Kang ◽  
Yeo Kyoung Won ◽  
Jung Yeul Kim
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Retinal Vessel ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Retinal Vessel Density ◽  
Perfusion Density ◽  
Measurement Area ◽  
Central Fovea

Purpose. To evaluate the difference in the repeatability of automated superficial retinal vessel density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) metrics according to the measurement area of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods. A total of 127 normal eyes from 127 healthy subjects were included. Macular angiography images were acquired from all subjects using the Zeiss Cirrus 5000 with AngioPlex™ OCTA software. Scans of 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm were each performed twice in a randomly arranged sequence. Vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD), and FAZ metrics of the superficial capillary plexus were calculated automatically for all scans, and the repeatabilities for both scan patterns were assessed based on intraclass correlation (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and coefficient of repeatability (CR) parameters. The average measured values in the two scan patterns were also compared. Results. VD was significantly greater in the 3 × 3 mm scan than in the 6 × 6 mm scan according to all parameters, whereas PD was significantly less in the 3 × 3 mm scan than in the 6 × 6 mm scan. The ICCs for VDs in the central fovea were 0.826 and 0.741 for the 3 × 3 and 6 × 6 mm scans, respectively, and the CVs were 8.00% and 12.75%. For PDs, the ICCs were 0.839 and 0.762 and the CVs were 9.32% and 14.90%. The FAZ metrics in the 3 × 3 mm scan showed good repeatability with an ICC >0.75 and a CV <10.0%. However, all ICCs for the 6 × 6 mm scans were <0.75, and the CVs were all >10%. Conclusions. The 6 × 6 mm macular angiography scans resulted in lower repeatabilities than the 3 × 3 mm scans according to all OCTA parameters, particularly in the central fovea and FAZ metrics. The 3 × 3 mm scan was more suitable than the 6 × 6 mm scan for analyzing macular microvascular density and FAZ metrics.

Foveal Avascular Zone Area Analysis Using OCT Angiography After Pneumatic Retinopexy for Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
Carolina L. M. Francisconi ◽  
David Ta Kim ◽  
Verena Juncal ◽  
Jenny Qian ◽  
Koby Brosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Pneumatic Retinopexy ◽  
Retinal Capillary ◽  
Avascular Zone ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Pars Plana ◽  
Superficial Capillary Plexus ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose: Recent publications have reported that the deep capillary plexus (DCP) area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is significantly larger in eyes following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair when compared with controls. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there have been no publications on the evaluation of the macular microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in post–pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) eyes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate FAZ-area changes following PnR. Methods: This retrospective cohort included 19 patients with macula-off RRD who underwent PnR repair. Each patient’s fellow eye was used as a control. The FAZ area in the superficial capillary plexus and DCP was investigated with OCTA and the areas were measured by 2 masked graders. Results: Both superficial (PnR: 0.22 [0.16-0.35] vs control: 0.24 [0.18-0.34] mm2; P = .715) and deep (PnR: 0.56 [0.51-0.76] vs control: 0.7 [0.59-0.89] mm2; P = .105) FAZ areas were not significantly different between eyes. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the lack of FAZ-area enlargement after PnR repair may indicate that there is less ischemic damage to the retinal capillary plexus in the fovea when compared with that described in the literature for PPV. The PIVOT trial demonstrated that PnR is associated with superior visual acuity and less metamorphopsia when compared with PPV at 1 year. The results of the current study may provide insight into the potential advantages of PnR. Further studies are needed to elucidate how the macular microvasculature is affected after RRD and to clarify how the FAZ area changes following PnR and PPV.

scholarly journals Retinal Vascular Changes in Radiation Maculopathy after Intravitreal Ranibizumab by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilda Cennamo ◽  
Daniela Montorio ◽  
Roberta Bernardo ◽  
Antonio Farella ◽  
Raffaele Liuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Choroidal Melanoma ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Foveal Thickness ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Sd Oct

In this prospective study, we investigated the structural and vascular retinal changes at baseline and after Ranibizumab injections at the last follow up to one year in patients affected by Radiation Maculopathy (RM) after plaque brachytheraphy in choroidal melanoma, using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT Angiography (OCTA). A total of 40 eyes with RM of 40 patients (18 females, 22 males, mean age 51.9 ± 11 years) that underwent ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy were included. All patients received one monthly intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab (Pro Re Nata regimen). We analyzed the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) area, the retinal vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and of the deep capillary plexus (DCP), using OCTA, and we detected the Central Foveal Thickness (CFT) by SD-OCT at baseline and after treatment. At the last follow up, we found a significant improvement of the CFT (p < 0.001) while OCTA parameters revealed no change in VD of the SCP (p = 0.402), DCP (p = 0.282), and FAZ area (p = 0.255), resulting in a stabilization of the visual acuity (p = 0.210) respect to baseline. The absence of functional improvement, despite the anatomical recovery of the macula, could be due to the absence of improvement in FAZ area and in retinal VD after treatment. OCTA parameters could represent predictive biomarkers to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) intravitreal response and to help to better understand the physiopathological mechanisms of the RM.

scholarly journals Early Retinal Flow Changes after Vitreoretinal Surgery in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Using Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Mastropasqua ◽  
Rossella D’Aloisio ◽  
Pasquale Viggiano ◽  
Enrico Borrelli ◽  
Carla Iafigliola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Epiretinal Membrane ◽  
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Vascular Changes ◽  
Ilm Peeling ◽  
Swept Source ◽  
Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane ◽  
Capillary Plexus ◽  
Superficial Capillary Plexus

(1) Background: The aim of this observational cross-sectional work was to investigate early retinal vascular changes in patients undergoing idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery using swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA); (2) Methods: 24 eyes of 24 patients who underwent vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using SS-OCTA system (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). For each eye, five 6x6-mm OCTA volume scans were acquired by two observers independently. The en face images of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) were then exported to imageJ and a semi-automated algorithm was used for subsequent quantitative analysis. Perfusion density (PD), vessel length density (VLD), vessel diameter index (VDI) and vessel tortuosity (VT) of SCP were evaluated in both the parafoveal (2.5 mm diameter) and perifoveal areas (5.5 mm diameter); (3) Results: At OCTA analysis statistically significant differences were found between controls and diseased eyes for all parameters in parafoveal and perifoveal regions (p < 0.001; p < 0.05) except for perifoveal VLD. During 6-month follow up, both anatomical/perfusion and functional parameters showed a statistically significant improvement if compared to preoperative values. In detail, at one-month post vitrectomy, VLD and VT significantly changed in parafoveal region (p = 0.043; p = 0.045), while PD and VDI showed a trend of increase in both parafoveal and perifoveal region. At 6 months after surgery, PD, VLD and VT of parafoveal region significantly improved (p = 0.021, p = 0.018, p = 0.047 respectively). (4) Conclusions: SS-OCTA provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the superficial capillary plexus allowing for early vascular changes assessment after vitrectomy with iERM and ILM peeling.

Retinal vascular alterations in reticular pseudodrusen with and without outer retinal atrophy assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography

2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (9) ◽  
pp. 1192-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vittoria Cicinelli ◽  
Alessandro Rabiolo ◽  
Riccardo Sacconi ◽  
Francesca Lamanna ◽  
Lea Querques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Foveal Avascular Zone ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Reticular Pseudodrusen ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Retinal Atrophy ◽  
Capillary Plexus

PurposeTo investigate the intraretinal structural and vascular alterations in patients featuring reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), RPD with outer retinal atrophy (ORA), and drusen.DesignObservational cross-sectional study.MethodsClinical practice study including 68 eyes of 57 patients (22 eyes of 17 patients with RPD; 24 eyes of 21 patients with RPD+ORA; 22 eyes of 19 patients with drusen). Each patient underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A). Measurement of retinal layers’ thickness was obtained by the automated segmentation protocol of the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Eye Explorer V.1.9.10.0). The superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density, as well as the size of the foveal avascular zone were calculated on 3×3 OCT-A. Main outcome was to compare vessel density at the SCP and DCP among the groups and controls.ResultsAt the SCP, the vessel density was lower in RPD and RPD+ORA patients with respect to controls (P=0.02 and P=0.003, respectively). At the DCP, meaningful disparity was found between the study groups and the healthy subjects in the vessel density (P<0.001, P=0.04 and P=0.001 for RPD, RDP+ORA and drusen, respectively). The ganglion cell layer (GCL) was thinner in all patients affected either by RPD, RPD+ORA or drusen compared with healthy subjects (P=0.02, P=0.03 and P=0.004, respectively).ConclusionSignificant retinal vascular loss is a common feature of patients with non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, more pronounced in those featuring RPD and RPD+ORA. It is associated with retinal thinning, localised particularly at the GCL, compared with controls.

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