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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiographic Study in Children with a History of Prematurity: A Systematic
Samira Chaibakhsh1, Ali Aghajani2, Maryam Moradi3
1Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment show altered macular structure, including increased central foveal thickness and vessel density, and reduced visual acuity compared to full-term infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Pediatric Eye Conditions
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding the long-term macular structural changes after ROP treatment is crucial for predicting visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess macular structural changes in children with a history of prematurity.
- To investigate the relationship between retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment and macular ultrastructural alterations using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science) up to October 21, 2022.
- Twelve studies involving subjects over 5 years old, imaged with an Optovue device, were included.
- Key parameters analyzed included foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, superficial and deep capillary plexus vessel density (VD), central foveal thickness (CFT), and visual acuity (VA).
Main Results:
- Children with a history of ROP treatment exhibited significantly higher central foveal thickness (CFT) and vessel density (VD) in both superficial and deep capillary plexuses compared to full-term infants.
- Visual acuity (VA) was lower in ROP-treated children, correlating with changes in CFT, foveal VD, and FAZ area.
- The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was found to be negatively associated with both visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).
Conclusions:
- ROP treatment is associated with significant alterations in macular structure, including increased CFT and VD, and reduced VA.
- The FAZ area is a key indicator, showing a negative correlation with VA and CFT in these patients.
- These findings highlight the long-term impact of ROP and its treatment on retinal microvasculature and visual function.
Purpose:
to assess the changes in the macular structure in children with history of prematurity and to find the relationship between retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment and macular ultrastructural changes found in optical coherence tomography angiography study.
Methods:
a search for identifying relevant studies published in English using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from the date of inception to 21 October 2022 was conducted. Studies were included if their subjects were >5 years and used Optovue device for imaging. Twelve studies were included for final analysis. After extracting data, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in the foveal and parafoveal area, central foveal thickness (CFT), and visual acuity (VA) were compared between the study groups.
Results:
in individual who were born full term the FAZ was significantly larger. The SCP and DCP VD was significantly higher in children with history of ROP treatment. Superficial parafoveal VD was significantly lower in term children than both treated groups. The CFT was significantly higher in children with history of ROP (treated and untreated) than the terms. VA was lower in laser and IVI treated children than terms and it was related to the changes in CFT, foveal superficial and deep VD and FAZ area.
Conclusions:
Patients with a history of ROP treatment have a significantly greater CFT, higher VD of foveal SCP and DCP, and lower VA than the term-born children. Furthermore, the FAZ is negatively associated with VA and CFT.
