Swept source-OCT and swept source-OCT angiography findings in posterior microphthalmos

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Posterior microphthalmos (PM) is a congenital condition characterized by a small eye, often associated with visual impairment.
• Understanding the structural and vascular changes in PM is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the findings of swept source-OCT (SS-OCT) and swept source-OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) in eyes with posterior microphthalmos (PM).

Main Methods:

• Twelve eyes from six patients with PM underwent SS-OCT and SS-OCTA imaging.
• Structural changes, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and perifoveal capillary alterations were assessed.
• A control group of twenty eyes was used for comparison.

Main Results:

• SS-OCT revealed retinal folds, macular cystoid spaces, and subretinal fluid in PM eyes.
• Mean SFCT was significantly increased in PM eyes compared to controls.
• SS-OCTA demonstrated foveal avascular zone (FAZ) remodeling, vessel tortuosity, and reduced capillary vessel density (CVD) in PM eyes.
• FAZ area and CVD were significantly smaller in PM eyes, correlating with visual acuity.

Conclusions:

• Combined SS-OCT and SS-OCTA effectively detect diverse structural and microvascular abnormalities in PM.
• These findings enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of this blinding ocular condition.