OCT angiography findings in children with amblyopia

To compare the microstructure and vascularity of amblyopic eyes in children with their contralateral eye and with eyes from control children using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional evaluation of macular and optic disk vascular density and flow area using OCT-A (Avanti RTVue XR, Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA). Parameters were calculated using automated software.

A total of 52 children were included: 26 subjects with amblyopia and 26 nonamblyopic controls. The amblyopic eye of subjects showed a statistically significant decrease in macular vascular density (P = 0.0171) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), in the optic disk flow area (P = 0.0195) and in the average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.0194) as well as a marginally statistically significant decrease in the macular flow area of the SCP (P = 0.0305) and in the optic density (P = 0.0279). Compared with randomly selected eyes of controls, amblyopic eyes showed a statistically significant decrease in the macular flow area of the SCP (P = 0.005) and of the deep capillary plexus (DCP; P = 0.002), in the macula vascular density of the SCP (P = 0.022), in the optic disk flow area (P = 0.004), and a marginally statistical significant increase in the area of foveal avascular zone of the DCP (P = 0.038).

In our study cohort amblyopic eyes manifested significant differences in macular and optic disk vascularization. The clinical significance of these findings warrants further research.