Cilioretinal Arteries and Macular Vasculature in Highly Myopic Eyes: An OCT Angiography-Based Study

Xiangjia Zhu; Jiaqi Meng; Ling Wei; Keke Zhang; Wenwen He; Yi Lu

doi:10.1016/j.oret.2020.05.014

Cilioretinal Arteries and Macular Vasculature in Highly Myopic Eyes: An OCT Angiography-Based Study

Ophthalmol Retina. 2020 Oct;4(10):965-972. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2020.05.014. Epub 2020 May 26.

Authors

Xiangjia Zhu¹, Jiaqi Meng², Ling Wei², Keke Zhang¹, Wenwen He¹, Yi Lu³

Affiliations

¹ Eye Institute, Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; Key NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
² Eye Institute, Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
³ Eye Institute, Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; Key NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: luyieent@163.com.

PMID: 32470652
DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2020.05.014

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the association between the presence of cilioretinal arteries and the macular vasculature in highly myopic eyes using OCT angiography (OCTA).

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Participants: Four hundred eighty-one highly myopic eyes of 481 patients.

Methods: Fundus photographs were reviewed to determine the presence of a cilioretinal artery and its distribution, based on whether its path or visible branches reached the region within 500 μm of the foveal center. The macular vasculature was analyzed in OCTA images, including the vessel density (VD), fractal dimension (FD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ). The associations between the presence of a cilioretinal artery and its distribution and between the macular vasculature and visual acuity were evaluated.

Main outcome measures: Cilioretinal arteries, macular vasculature, and their associations.

Results: Of the eyes included, 17.05% (82/481) had a cilioretinal artery. Based on the OCTA analysis, the eyes with cilioretinal arteries showed significantly higher VD and FD in both superficial and deep capillary plexuses and smaller FAZ than those without (all P < 0.001). However, these differences were not found in the subgroup of eyes with an axial length of more than 30 mm. Eyes with cilioretinal arteries that reached the central foveal area showed significantly higher VD and FD in both capillary plexuses and smaller FAZ than those that did not (all P < 0.05). Better best-corrected visual acuity was identified in the eyes with cilioretinal arteries than in those without (0.09 ± 0.14 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] vs. 0.21 ± 0.27 logMAR, respectively; P < 0.001). In particular, eyes with cilioretinal arteries that reached the central foveal area had better visual acuity than those without (0.05 ± 0.06 logMAR vs. 0.16 ± 0.20logMAR, respectively; P = 0.005).

Conclusions: This OCTA-based study suggested that cilioretinal arteries in highly myopic eyes potentially may improve the macular vasculature and influence visual function.

Publication types

Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Ciliary Arteries / pathology*
Female
Fluorescein Angiography / methods*
Fundus Oculi
Humans
Macula Lutea / blood supply*
Male
Middle Aged
Myopia, Degenerative / diagnosis*
Myopia, Degenerative / physiopathology
Retinal Artery / pathology*
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*
Visual Acuity*