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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
Microvascular changes in macula and optic nerve head after femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK: an optical coherence
Yan Zhang1, Jianqing Lan1, Dan Cao1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
Background:
To measure the microcirculation change of macula and optic nerve head before and after femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis.
Methods:
In total 45 eyes from 45 subjects, who underwent FS-LASIK during June 2017 to December 2017 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, were recruited in this study. Vessel density in macula and optic nerve head were measured by optical coherence tomography angiography before and after transient elevation in intraocular pressure caused by application of suction ring during surgery.
Results:
Vessel density (VD) at superficial (SCP) plexus of macular region did not differ after surgery (F(3,132) = 1.41, P = 0.24), while the deep (DCP) plexus of macular region significantly decreased 1 day after surgery (P = 0.001) but returned to its baseline value 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.1). Vessel density of optic nerve head region had no significant changes after surgery (F(2.51,95.18) = 0.6, P = 0.59).
Conclusions:
A short-term temporary decrease of vessel density at deep layer of macular region was observed in eyes undergoing FS-LASIK. However, the retinal capillary density went back to preoperative level 1 month after surgery. Therefore, transient IOP spike during FS-LASIK did not cause long-term decline of retinal microcirculation.
