Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the retinal microvasculature in a cohort of patients with retinal vasculitis using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)
Methods :
This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with retinal vascular inflammation imaged with OCTA (Optovue Avanti RTVue-XR). OCTA images were evaluated for qualitative changes and compared to fluorescein angiography images where available. Quantitative analysis of the superficial and deep retinal capillaries was performed using flow density software on the Optovue Avanti RTVue-XR.
Results :
20 patients with retinal vasculitis were identified. Mean age was 43 years and included 10 women and 10 men. The diagnostic spectrum included 8 patients with Susac syndrome, 6 patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis, 4 patients with Behcet’s disease, one patient with anti-synthetase syndrome, and one patient with intermediate uveitis. OCTA imaging on 11 patients revealed findings not visible on fluorescein angiography. These included loss of retinal blood flow in the superficial and deep vascular layers, capillary remodeling, and normal capillary flow in eyes with exudates. Quantitative analysis showed decreased flow density in both the superficial and deep retinal capillaries in eyes with vascular inflammation involving the macula compared to eyes without macular involvement. In eyes with asymmetric involvement of the macula, decreased flow density values were identified in areas of retinal vascular loss.
Conclusions :
OCT angiography provides information on capillary blood flow in patients with retinal vasculitis. In some patients, OCTA revealed capillary abnormalities that were not visible on fluorescein angiography. Quantitative analysis demonstrated decreased flow density in areas of retinal vascular loss.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.