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Correlation Between Localized Choriocapillaris Perfusion and Macular Function in Eyes with Geographic Atrophy
Nicholas T Rinella1, Hao Zhou2, Jessica Wong1
1From the Department of Ophthalmology (N.T.R., J.W., K.N., T.C.P., D.M.S., J.L.D.), University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|August 26, 2021
Summary
Choriocapillaris perfusion, crucial for macular function, was significantly reduced in geographic atrophy (GA). Improved flow and sensitivity were observed further from the GA border, confirming the correlation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration.
- Reduced choriocapillaris perfusion is implicated in GA progression.
- Understanding the relationship between blood flow and visual function in GA is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between choriocapillaris perfusion and visual function in patients with geographic atrophy (GA).
Main Methods:
- Employed swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) to image choriocapillaris flow in a 6x6 mm area.
- Measured retinal sensitivity using fundus-guided microperimetry in patients with GA and healthy controls.
- Correlated localized choriocapillaris flow deficit with retinal sensitivity using grid analysis and regression models.
Main Results:
- Patients with GA exhibited significantly greater choriocapillaris flow deficit (24.2%) compared to healthy controls (7.9%).
- Retinal sensitivity was significantly lower in patients with GA (-17.0 dB).
- Choriocapillaris flow deficit decreased and retinal sensitivity increased with distance from the GA margin (r = -0.40 and r = +0.63, respectively).
- A significant inverse correlation was found between choriocapillaris flow deficit and retinal sensitivity (r = -0.61).
Conclusions:
- Choriocapillaris perfusion and retinal sensitivity improve with increasing distance from the geographic atrophy border.
- The inverse correlation between flow deficit and sensitivity supports the hypothesis that choriocapillaris perfusion is linked to macular function in GA.
