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Foveal structure, function and microvascular morphology in school-age children with laser-treated retinopathy of
Zhiqiao Liang1, Yuou Yao1, Guosheng Sun1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijng, China.
Insights
Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity in children impacts foveal structure, function, and microvasculature. These changes, along with post-menstrual age, correlate with visual acuity outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.
- Laser treatment is a common intervention for ROP, but its long-term effects on visual development require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between foveal structure, function, microvascular morphology, and visual acuity in school-age children with laser-treated ROP.
- To compare these parameters between children with treated ROP and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study analyzing 55 eyes (26 ROP, 29 controls).
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) were used to measure foveal structure (CFT, IRT, ORT) and microvasculature (FAZ, SCP-VD, DCP-VD).
- Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) assessed foveal function (P1 amplitudes and implicit times).
Main Results:
- Children with laser-treated ROP showed significantly smaller foveal avascular zones (FAZ) and higher vessel densities (SCP-VD, DCP-VD) compared to controls.
- ROP eyes exhibited significantly increased central foveal thickness (CFT), inner retinal thickness (IRT), and outer retinal thickness (ORT).
- P1 amplitudes were significantly reduced in all retinal regions for the ROP group. Visual acuity correlated positively with post-menstrual age (PMA) and negatively with SCP-VD and CFT.
Conclusions:
- Laser treatment for ROP affects foveal structure, function, and microvascular morphology in school-age children.
- Foveal structural anomalies and microvascular changes in ROP eyes are associated with impaired visual function.
- PMA, foveal structure, and microvascular alterations are key factors influencing visual outcomes in children with treated ROP.
Purpose:
The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to evaluate the relationship between foveal structure, function, microvascular morphology and visual acuity in school-age children with laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods:
Foveal structural parameters, including the central foveal thickness (CFT), inner retinal thickness (IRT) and outer retinal thickness (ORT), were measured on B-scans using an Optovue XR Avanti optical coherence tomography device. Foveal microvascular parameters, including the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial capillary plexus-vessel density (SCP-VD) and deep capillary plexus-vessel density (DCP-VD), were measured on optical coherence tomography angiography with a scan size of 3 × 3. The P1 amplitudes and P1 implicit times were recorded by a multifocal electroretinogram with 61 elements.
Results:
Fifty-five eyes (26 eyes of school-age ROP children and 29 eyes of full-term controls) were analysed. The ROP children manifested a significantly smaller FAZ, higher SCP-VD and higher DCP-VD than the controls (p < 0.001). The CFT (p < 0.001), IRT (p < 0.001) and ORT (p = 0.001) were significantly increased in the ROP group. The P1 amplitudes in all five-ring retinal regions were significantly smaller in the ROP group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated that best-corrected visual acuity was positively correlated with post-menstrual age (PMA) and negatively correlated with SCP-VD and CFT (R2 = 0.529, p < 0.001, 0.043 and 0.020, respectively).
Conclusion:
The foveal structure, function and microvascular morphology are affected in school-age children with laser-treated ROP. PMA, foveal structural anomalies and microvascular changes in ROP children were associated with impaired visual function.
