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Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
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Vascular changes after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: optical coherence tomography angiography
Vincenza Bonfiglio1, Elina Ortisi1, Davide Scollo1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Acta Ophthalmologica
|November 28, 2019
Summary
Successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) can lead to reduced retinal vessel density. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after RRD surgery is linked to foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size and vessel density.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a sight-threatening condition requiring surgical intervention.
- Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas tamponade is a common surgical treatment for RRD.
- Assessing postoperative retinal microvasculature and its correlation with visual outcomes is crucial for understanding RRD repair efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the postoperative foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, superficial vessel density (SVD), and deep vessel density (DVD) after RRD repair.
- To investigate the correlation of these vascular parameters with functional (best-corrected visual acuity, BCVA) and anatomical (foveal macular thickness, FMT) outcomes.
- To compare vascular parameters in RRD eyes with their fellow healthy eyes.
Main Methods:
- Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate FAZ area, SVD, and DVD in patients with successfully treated RRD.
- Patients with a minimum 12-month follow-up after a single PPV were included.
- Vascular parameters and FMT were compared between operated eyes and fellow eyes.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in FMT or FAZ area were observed between RRD eyes and fellow eyes post-surgery.
- Macula-on RRD eyes showed lower parafoveal DVD, with FAZ area related to FMT and BCVA correlated with parafoveal DVD and FAZ area.
- Macula-off RRD eyes exhibited lower parafoveal SVD and foveal/parafoveal DVD; BCVA was related to FAZ area, foveal SVD, and parafoveal DVD.
Conclusions:
- Eyes with RRD treated with PPV demonstrated reduced superficial and deep retinal vessel density compared to healthy fellow eyes.
- Postoperative BCVA after RRD repair is significantly associated with the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and retinal vessel density.
- These findings highlight the impact of RRD and its surgical repair on retinal microvascularization and visual function.
Keywords:
foveal avascular zonerhegmatogenous retinal detachmentsuperficial and deep vessel densityvitrectomy
