Retinal circulation and its role in macular disorders in patients without systemic disease

To determine whether retinal circulatory changes play a role in the pathogenesis of macular disorders in patients who are otherwise healthy.

Patients with macular disorders that required angiographic imaging were included in this prospective case series. After a complete ocular exam, fluorescein angiography was performed using a standardized technique on the HRA-II (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) with special focus on the posterior pole. Only patients with good quality images were included in the analysis. Circulatory parameters recorded included the arm-choroid time, choroid-retinal artery, and finally the retinal artery-vein time. Zonal asymmetry (between the upper and lower zones divided by a line passing through the centre of the fovea) in transit times, if any was also noted. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. Circulation times were compared with age matched historical controls. Changes in retinal dye transit times relative to historical age matched controls, if any, were noted and compared between various disorders.

A total of 156 eyes of 156 patients (120 males) were included in the study. Mean age: 49.14±14.93y. Macular disorders studied were age related degeneration, polypoidal vasculopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and parafoveal telangiectasia. Delayed circulation time was noted in CSCR patients only.

CSCR patients appear to have delayed arterial filling, retinal circulatory disturbances do not seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of other macular disorders.