Loss of Peripheral Retinal Vessels in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a leading cause of inherited blindness.
• Peripheral retinal vascular assessment is crucial for understanding RP progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify peripheral retinal vascularity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
• To compare vascular density between RP patients and age-matched controls.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ultra-wide field fundus imaging to divide the retina into posterior, mid-peripheral, and far-peripheral zones.
• Quantified retinal vessels at the borders of these zones (Z1/2 and Z2/3).
• Included 181 eyes from 107 RP patients and 130 eyes from 84 controls.

Main Results:

• RP patients showed significantly lower vessel counts at Z1/2 (median 8 vs. 42) and Z2/3 (median 3 vs. 43.5) compared to controls (p<0.001).
• 22% of RP eyes were avascular in the far periphery; 7% in both mid and far periphery.
• Eyes with worse visual acuity (≥20/200) had significantly reduced vascularity in both zones (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated substantial and symmetrical peripheral retinal vascular loss in RP.
• Peripheral vascular assessment may serve as a diagnostic marker for RP.
• Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for RP treatment.