Normative Data of Superficial Retinal Vascular Plexus and the Relationship to Retinal Layers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in a healthy population and to detect any changes that occur with age.

A total of 100 healthy participants were included in this prospective, observational, and comparative study. The participants were categorized in 4 groups according to age: Group 1: 21-30 years, Group 2: 31-40 years, Group 3: 41-50 years, Group 4: 51-60 years of age. Mean macular thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL), and the choroidal thickness (ChT), vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and parapapillary perfusion density parameters were recorded and analyzed.

In comparisons between groups, no significant difference in OCTA parameters was observed. There were inverse correlations between the outer VD, PD, and intraocular pressure (IOP) (r= -0.307, p=0.006 and r= -0.284, p=0.011, respectively). The correlation between parapapillary perfusion density and IOP was close to being significant (r= -0.213, p=0.059). There were significant relationships between OCTA parameters and macular, RNFL, and GC-IPL thickness. No significant relationship between ChT and OCTA parameters was seen.

The size and characteristics of superficial VD, PD, parapapillary perfusion density, and FAZ were determined in a population with standardized demographic and ocular clinical features, and the relationship between these parameters and retinal layers was established.