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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Subclinical retinal microvascular alterations assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography in children with
Gamze Dereli Can1, Muhammet Furkan Korkmaz2, Mehmet Erol Can3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
Insights
Children with high blood pressure show reduced deep capillary vessel density in the macula, indicating early microvascular changes. These findings suggest potential prognostic value for monitoring systemic blood pressure effects in pediatric hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric hypertension is a growing concern with potential long-term cardiovascular implications.
- Early detection of microvascular changes can aid in managing hypertension and preventing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare macular and peripapillary vessel density in children with and without high blood pressure.
- To investigate early signs of hypertensive retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography.
Main Methods:
- Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to analyze capillary vessel density (CVD) in the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexus.
- The study included 20 children with hypertension and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area or superficial capillary plexus (SCP) density between groups.
- Significantly lower mean measurements of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) were found in children with hypertension compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Subthreshold microvascular alterations in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) were detected in pediatric hypertensives, despite the absence of overt hypertensive retinopathy.
- These DCP alterations may serve as prognostic indicators for the systemic effects of high blood pressure in children.
Purpose:
To compare the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) macular and peripapillary vessel density between children with high blood pressure and healthy subjects.
Methods:
A total of 40 eyes of 20 children with hypertension and 40 eyes of 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Capillary vessel density (CVD) in superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexus, peripapillary region, and FAZ were analyzed by optical coherence tomography angiography.
Results:
The mean ages were 15.2 ± 1.5 years (range, 10-18) in patients with hypertension and 14.4 ± 2.8 years (range, 10-18) in healthy controls (P = 0.742). The mean FAZ area measured 0.25 ± 0.10 mm2 in children with hypertension and 0.25 ± 0.09 mm2 in healthy controls (P = 0.765). There was no significant difference between study groups in any measure of the macular SCP (P > 0.05 for all); however, the mean whole image, inferior hemisphere, and para- and perifoveal measurements of the macular DCP were significantly lower in children with hypertension than in controls (P < 0.05 for all).
Conclusions:
Although there was no evidence of hypertensive retinopathy, subthreshold microvascular alterations were found in the DCP of the retinal circulation in pediatric hypertensives. These alterations should be considered as prognostic cues when defining whole systemic response to high blood pressure in childhood.
