OCT angiography features in Posterior Uveitis.

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

To evaluate the retinal microvasculature in eyes with posterior uveitis using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

 

Methods

 

OCT angiography images (AngioVue, Optovue) were acquired within a 3x3mm area in the central macula from patients with posterior uveitis. The flow imaging was based on Split-Spectrum Amplitude Decorrelation Angiography (SSADA), which assesses the vasculature in distinct layers of the retina. The layers assessed were the superficial retinal vascular plexus, deep retinal vascular plexus, avascular outer retina, and choriocapillaris.

 

Results

 

A total of 14 eyes of 9 patients with the diagnosis of posterior uveitis (PU) and 30 normal patients were included. All patients were male. Five patients had bilateral disease and 9 were unilateral. The diagnoses were: Beçhet disease (2 eyes), sarcoidosis (3 eyes), idiopathic panuveitis (3 eyes), toxoplasmic retinitis (1 eye), serpinginous choroiditis (2 eyes), Eales disease (1 eye) and acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) (2 eyes). Of these, 4 eyes had concurrent retinal vasculitis. Compared to normal controls, the most affected layer was the deep retinal vascular plexus with changes in the parafoveal vasculature: 6 patients (9 eyes) exhibited disruption to the deep retinal plexus and disruption to all vascular layers was found in 4 eyes of patients with serpinginous choroiditis and APMPPE.

 

Conclusions

 

In this series of patients with posterior uveitis we observed changes in the vasculature of all layers of the retina compared with normal controls. The deep retinal vascular plexus was the most affected in our cohort. OCT angiography provides a non invasive method to assess the retinal vasculature, and may be useful in the management of patients with posterior uveitis.  

 

Deep capillary network (right) outer retina (middle) and choroid capillary (left) in a patient with APMPPE.

 

 

Deep capillary network (right), outer retina (middle) and choroid capillary (left) in an normal control