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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Perinatal risk factors associated with central retinal changes in former preterm children on optical coherence
Alenka Lavric1,2, Spela Markelj1,2, Jianbin Ding3
1Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Former preterm children show retinal structure differences linked to ROP risk factors. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) revealed macular changes associated with prematurity complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of vision impairment in premature infants.
- Perinatal factors significantly influence ROP development and long-term visual outcomes.
- Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) offers detailed visualization of retinal vasculature and structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between perinatal risk factors for ROP and central retinal structures in former preterm children.
- To evaluate macular changes in preterm children using OCTA.
- To correlate specific ROP risk factors with quantitative OCTA parameters.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study comparing 40 preterm children with 33 healthy full-term controls.
- Utilized swept-source OCTA for imaging central retinal structures.
- Quantitatively assessed foveal avascular zone area (FAZ), foveal depth (FD), central subfoveal retinal thickness (CSFT), and capillary density index (CDI).
Main Results:
- Preterm children exhibited significantly smaller FAZ, lower FD, and higher CSFT compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Mechanical ventilation duration and intraventricular hemorrhage correlated with smaller FAZ and FD, and higher CSFT.
- Mechanical ventilation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were associated with lower FD and higher CSFT.
Conclusions:
- Former preterm children display central retinal anomalies detectable by OCTA.
- Macular structural changes in these children are associated with key perinatal risk factors for ROP.
- OCTA is a valuable tool for assessing the impact of prematurity on retinal development.
Purpose:
To assess the association between perinatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and central retinal structures of former preterm children seen on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
Methods:
This prospective cohort study included 40 children with a history of preterm birth and 33 healthy full-term children. We documented their birth weight, gestational age, other significant risk factors for ROP development and presence of ROP. Imaging was performed using swept-source OCTA, and quantitative evaluation was performed. Analytic parameters included the area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), foveal depth (FD), central subfoveal retinal thickness (CSFT) and capillary density index (CDI) of the deep and superficial capillary plexus.
Results:
Preterm children had significantly smaller FAZ, lower FD and higher CSFT compared to controls (all p < 0.001). Both groups exhibited no differences in total CDI at the superficial (p = 0.969) and deep capillary plexus (p = 0.370). The duration of mechanical ventilation correlated negatively with FAZ and FD but positively with CSFT. The duration of supplemental oxygen treatment correlated negatively with FD. The presence of intraventricular haemorrhage correlated negatively with FAZ and FD but positively with CSFT. Regression analysis found that the duration of mechanical ventilation and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were associated with lower FD (p = 0.002 and 0.01, respectively) and higher CSFT (p = 0.002 and 0.028, respectively).
Conclusion:
Central retinal anomalies were identified in former preterm children using OCTA. Macular changes were associated with several risk factors for ROP development.
