The effect of electronic cigarette smoking on retinal microcirculation: Enlargement of the foveal avascular zone

Abstract

Background: To evaluate retinal microcirculation in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) smokers using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: OCTA measurements were performed on the left eyes of 21 e-cigarette smokers and 21 healthy controls. Superficial and deep foveal, perifoveal and parafoveal vessel densities, outer retina and choriocapillaris flow area, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and central macular thickness were evaluated in both groups.

Results: The FAZ area was larger in e-cigarette smokers than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.003). The superficial foveal, superficial total, deep foveal and deep total vascular densities were significantly lower in the e-cigarette group compared to the control group (p = 0.011, p = 0.012, p = 0.022, and p = 0.041, respectively). Central macular thickness was lower in the e-cigarette smokers but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.678).

Conclusions: E-cigarette smoking causes enlargement of the FAZ area and decreases vascular densities.

Keywords: Electronic cigarettes; Foveal avascular zone; Nicotine; Optical coherence tomography angiography; Vessel density.