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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Understanding Retinal Vessel Resilience and Disease Progression
Published on: January 12, 2024
High body weight-related retinal vasculopathy in children with obesity
Gamze Dereli Can1, Özlem Kara2, Mehmet Erol Can1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa City Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
Insights
Obese children show increased vascular density in the superficial capillary plexus of the parafoveal region. This finding highlights microvascular changes in childhood obesity and is relevant for pediatricians.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with potential systemic implications.
- Microvascular alterations may be an early indicator of systemic disease in pediatric populations.
- Understanding retinal microvasculature changes in obese children is crucial for early detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and microvascular alterations in the macula and peripapillary region of obese children.
- To compare retinal capillary vessel density (VD) between obese children and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A total of 222 eyes from 111 children (54 obese, 57 healthy) were analyzed.
- Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) was used to measure capillary VD in superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexuses.
- FAZ parameters and peripapillary region microvasculature were also assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in FAZ area between obese children and controls.
- Obese children exhibited significantly increased VD in the superior parafoveal region of the SCP (p=0.008).
- No significant differences in macular DCP or peripapillary VD were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Increased vascular density in the superior parafoveal SCP was observed in obese children.
- These findings suggest localized microvascular changes associated with childhood obesity.
- Results are relevant for pediatricians in assessing the systemic response to obesity.
Purpose:
To investigate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and the microvascular alterations in both macula and peripapillary region in obese children.
Methods:
We included a total of 222 eyes of 111 children (54 obese children and 57 healthy subjects). Capillary vessel density (VD) of superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexuses were measured in macular slabs. Peripapillary region was also evaluated. The FAZ parameters were measured based on the whole retinal slab. A commercial optical coherence tomography-angiography system was used.
Results:
The mean ages were 13.33 ± 2.55 years (range, 8-17) and 13.41 ± 2.90 years (range, 7-18) in patients with obesity and healthy controls, respectively (p = 0.84). The mean area of the FAZ were 0.278 ± 0.10 mm2 and 0.272 ± 0.11 mm2 in children with obesity and in control participants, respectively (p = 0.68). There were significant increases in the superior region of the parafoveal VD of SCP (p = 0.008 for superior hemisphere and p = 0.003 for superior quadrant). There was no significant difference in any measure of the macular DCP and peripapillary region (p > 0.05, for all).
Conclusion:
Increased vascular density measurements were found in the superior part of the parafoveal region of SCP in children with obesity. The results of the study should be taken into consideration during the course of the disease to define whole systemic response to obesity in childhood and will be of interest for pediatrician's clinical practice.
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