Superficial and deep retinal foveal avascular zone OCTA findings of non-infectious anterior and posterior uveitis

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2018 Oct;256(10):1977-1984. doi: 10.1007/s00417-018-4057-y. Epub 2018 Jul 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the superficial (FAZ-S) and deep foveal avascular zones (FAZ-D) of non-infectious anterior and posterior uveitis to healthy controls, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: OCTA was performed on 74 eyes: 34 eyes with non-infectious posterior uveitis (with (post+CME) and without macular edema (post-CME)), 11 eyes with non-infectious anterior uveitis (with (ant+CME) and without macular edema (ant-CME)), and the control group which included 29 healthy eyes.

Results: Eyes suffering from non-infectious posterior uveitis presented with significantly larger FAZ-D when compared to healthy controls, both in the presence or in the absence of macular edema (p < 0.001). In the presence of macular edema, eyes presenting with anterior uveitis (ant+CME) also showed significantly larger FAZ-S (p = 0.03) and FAZ-D (p < 0.001), when compared to healthy controls. In the absence of macular edema, eyes with anterior uveitis cannot be distinguished from controls (p > 0.6).

Conclusion: The deep retinal foveal avascular zone seems to be enlarged in eyes presenting with non-infectious posterior uveitis, both in the presence or absence of macular edema.

Keywords: Anterior uveitis; Foveal avascular zone; Non-infectious uveitis; Optical coherence tomography angiography; Posterior uveitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fovea Centralis / pathology*
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Macular Edema / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinal Vessels / pathology*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*
  • Uveitis, Anterior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uveitis, Posterior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Visual Acuity*
  • Young Adult