Author Response: Gap in Capillary Perfusion on Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

We appreciate the valuable comments from Huang and Sha¹ regarding our recent article.² Their comments raise an important point about image artifacts in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). 

Image artifacts in OCTA are common and physicians should be aware of this problem.³ As reported elsewhere, it is difficult to evaluate precise vascular abnormalities when macular edema is present.⁴ Thus, in the current study, we described our OCTA protocol in cases in which macular edema persisted.² In eyes with persistent macular edema, OCTA was performed within 2 months after the last anti-VEGF treatment, when the macular edema was suppressed temporarily. Cases with considerable macular edema after anti-VEGF treatment were excluded. Therefore, we believe that capillary loss in the deep capillary plexus was not an artifact. 

Huang and Sha¹ mentioned that a prospective and longitudinal study is important to gain an understanding of the pathogenesis of branch retinal vein occlusion, a statement with which we agree heartily. A prospective study with a larger number of patients is currently underway. We are looking forward to reporting our results in the near future.