A Quantitative Normative Database for Expanded Field Swept-source OCT Angiography in the Pediatric Population.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Research

Background:

• Establishing normative vascular data in pediatric eyes is crucial for identifying ocular pathologies.
• Expanded field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) offers advanced visualization of retinal vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify vascular metrics in healthy pediatric eyes using SS-OCTA.
• To provide a baseline dataset for comparison with pathological findings in children.
• To analyze the influence of age, sex, and ethnicity on pediatric retinal vascular patterns.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study involving healthy children aged 6-18 years.
• Imaging was performed using the PLEX Elite 9000 instrument with 3x3mm, 6x6mm, and 12x12mm SS-OCTA protocols.
• Vessel density (VD), vessel skeletonized density (VSD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) metrics were calculated for superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and whole retina.

Main Results:

• Data from 48 eyes of 39 children were analyzed.
• Male sex was associated with lower VD and VSD compared to females.
• Older age correlated with higher VD and VSD, and reduced FAZ circularity. Significant ethnic variations in VD, VSD, and FAZ metrics were observed.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a valuable database of expanded field vascular metrics in pediatric subjects.
• Vessel density increases, and FAZ circularity decreases throughout childhood.
• Future SS-OCTA studies in pediatric populations must consider sex, age, race, and ethnicity as significant influencing factors.