Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Neonates with Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Purpose : To obtain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images of neonates with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods : An observational consecutive case series was performed at a single hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit or operating room. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCTA was performed under general anesthesia using the arm-mounted Spectralis Heidelberg Flex Module.

Results : Images were obtained in 10 eyes of 5 infants. All subjects were male with varying levels of ROP ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 4A treated with anti-VEGF, panretinal photocoagulation, and/or scleral buckling. The average gestational age was 25 weeks and 1 day; the average postmenstrual age was 43.7 weeks. There was an absent or small fovea avascular zone in all infants with retained inner retinal layers (Figure 1). Like adults, in infants with macular edema OCTA interpretation was limited (Figure 2).

Conclusions : OCTA has become widely used in adult retina practices; however, its utility and role in ROP is less understood. This feasibility study documents OCTA findings in infants with ROP of various stages. Additional studies are needed to assess the role of OCTA in studying ROP pathogenesis and the effects of ROP treatment.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.