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Dynamic changes in retinal and choriocapillaris vascular density post-laser photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy
Amin Xu1, Gongpeng Sun1, Qiaoling Lai1
1Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Objectives:
To evaluate the changes in vascular density of the retina and choriocapillaris (CC) using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) after retinal laser photocoagulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods:
This prospective observational study included 45 eyes from 45 patients, comprising 20 with severe nonproliferative DR and 25 with proliferative DR. SS-OCTA images of the photocoagulation-treated areas were acquired before laser photocoagulation and at 1 h, 1 week, and 1 month follow-ups. Vessel densities of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and CC were analysed in the laser spot area (LSA), total area (TA), and non-laser spot area (NLSA).
Results:
At baseline, the vascular density of the CC within the LSA was 65.4 ± 5.0%. This significantly decreased at 1 h after laser photocoagulation, followed by gradual recovery at 1 week and 1 month. However, the vascular density remained significantly lower than baseline at 1 month (all P < 0.001). The CC vessel density in the NLSA showed a similar trend but was not significantly different from baseline at 1 month (P = 1.000). The SCP vessel density in the LSA was 25.7 ± 3.1% at baseline, increased at 1 h after laser therapy, and then decreased at 1 week and 1 month. The DCP showed a decreasing trend from baseline through 1 h, 1 week, and 1 month after laser photocoagulation.
Conclusions:
Retinal laser photocoagulation affects the CC, SCP, and DCP differently, enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms behind laser photocoagulation.
