Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the fovea density variation in patients with retinal vein occlusions using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) over the course of the treatment of macular edema
Methods :
This was a prospective, observational study of subjects with retinal vein occlusion. Optical coherence tomography angiography was performed (Optovue, Avanti) in 3 mm × 3 mm regions centered on the fovea and parafoveal areas. Two plexuses of the retina were assessed, automatically: superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). The vascular density was assessed automatically by Optovue software in the SCP in different location of the macula at baseline and after resorption of macular edema under intravitreal treatment
Results :
We prospectively included 20 consecutive patients with central or branch vein occlusions associated with macular edema treated by anti VEGF or dexamethasone implant. Fovea density was not significantly different in presence of fluid (31.7%) versus after edema resorption (27.9%) p=0.07. In different location of the macula (para-foveal, superior, inferior, nasal or temporal), the vascular density was not significantly different after edema resorption compared to baseline. In all cases, the DCP had a higher decrease of flow than the SCP. The size of the foveal avascular zone did not significantly change either
Conclusions :
OCTA allows quantitative assessment of the fovea and both superficial and DCP, which was not possible with fluorescein angiography. Vascular density measures will probably help us to better understand the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases. In vein occlusions, the fovea density decreases, but did not change in a short-term treatment. More studies are needed to confirm the latter finding with a longer follow-up.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.