Purpose: To analyze submacular perforating scleral vessels (PSVs) using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SDOCT).
Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 11 healthy women were included in this retrospective study. Central EDI-SDOCT scans (3 × 4.5 × 1.9 mm, 13.5 mm scan area) were acquired and postprocessed by denoising, manual sclera segmentation, and PSV investigated by five graders.
Results: Mean age was 22.4 ± 6.2 years. Mean refractive error was -0.44 ± 0.8 diopters. Mean axial length was 23.08 ± 0.63 mm. The coefficient of agreement for grading was good. Mean number of submacular PSVs was 0.33 ± 0.2 per mm (range from 0 to 9 per eye). Subfield analysis showed 0.2 ± 0.5 (range 0-2) and 2.1 ± 1.8 (range 0-7) vessels, respectively, for central 1-mm diameter and 3-mm diameter. Quadrant analysis showed 0.7 ± 0.9, 0.5 ± 0.9, 0.3 ± 0.6, and 0.4 ± 0.6 vessels, respectively for superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants. Total number of PSV showed no significant side difference (median difference 0.5, confidence interval -3.0 to 3.0, P = 0.94) or an influence of axial length (P = 0.16).
Conclusion: This is the first description of three-dimensional EDI-SDOCT visualization of submacular PSV in healthy eyes. This method allows for in vivo imaging of a critical component of outer retinal perfusion at the posterior pole.