Use of OCTA Capillary Perfusion Density Measurements to Detect and Grade Macular Ischemia

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020 Apr 1;51(4):S30-S36. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20200401-04.

Abstract

Background and objective: To compare optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) capillary perfusion density (CPD) measurements of normal eyes and eyes with macular ischemia (MI).

Patients and methods: AVATAR is an institutional review board-approved, prospective, observational imaging study using the Avanti RTVue XR HD. OCTA reports were reviewed for the presence of MI. Qualitative MI grading was performed, and CPD metrics in the superficial and deep fovea and parafovea were analyzed. A normal eye cohort was identified for comparative assessment.

Results: The MI and normal cohorts included 55 and 58 eyes, respectively. Compared to normal eyes, eyes with MI had significantly lower CPD values in all regions. There was a statistically significant correlation between qualitative MI grade and VA in the superficial (P = .003) and deep plexuses (P = .029). Only deep parafoveal CPD values demonstrated correlation with VA (P = .043).

Conclusions: Eyes with MI determined by masked qualitative OCTA grading demonstrated significantly reduced CPD values compared to normal eyes. Categorical assessment of MI severity correlated with VA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:S30-S36.].

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Microvascular Density
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Retinal Vessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retinal Vessels / physiopathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*