Analysis of macula structural changes in Moyamoya disease using AI-assisted OCT

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder.
• Understanding its impact on ocular structures is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in macula structure, thickness, and volume in patients with MMD.
• To utilize artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detailed analysis.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 30 MMD patients (59 eyes).
• AI-assisted OCT analyzed macula thickness and volume using ETDRS zoning and anatomical segmentation.
• Measured retinal layers, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and choroidal components.

Main Results:

• Reduced GCL volume in the inner ring nasal portion (IN) of the macula.
• Significantly reduced Sattler layer-choriocapillaris complex thickness (SLCCT) in six macula regions (p < 0.05).
• Reduced choroidal thickness observed in the nasal perifovea (PE_N) segment.

Conclusions:

• Patients with MMD exhibit thinning of the Sattler layer-choriocapillaris complex within the choroid.
• AI-assisted OCT is effective in detecting subtle structural changes in MMD.