Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
EXPANDED FIELD OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY BIOMARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRACTIONAL
Edward S Lu1,2, Yifan Lu1,2, Ying Cui1,3
1Harvard Retinal Imaging Lab, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts.
Purpose:
To investigate associations among expanded field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography biomarkers and the development of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
Methods:
Patients with PDR without TRD at baseline were imaged with swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Quantitative and qualitative OCTA metrics were independently evaluated by two trained graders. A logistic regression model was used to identify OCTA biomarkers associated with TRD development.
Results:
Forty-nine PDR eyes from 38 participants were included. Seven of 49 eyes (14%) developed TRD over a median of 576 (range 35-805) days. Biomarkers associated with TRD were large retinal nonperfusion area (odds ratio [OR], 7.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.61-16.3; P = 0.04), presence of neovascularization (NV) with total area > 4 disc diameters (OR, 2.30; 95% [CI], 1.09-4.51; P = 0.04), and presence of tabletop NV (OR, 2.64; 95% [CI], 1.42-4.86; P = 0.02), defined as NV displaced anteriorly by vitreous traction but tethered to the retina by vascular membranes.
Conclusion:
Presence of large retinal nonperfusion area, extensive NV, and NV with features of anterior displacement by vitreous traction were associated with increased risk of TRD occurrence. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography may be useful for predicting diabetic TRD development.
