Associations between axial length and optical coherence tomography angiography biomarkers
Jessica Wing Ka Lau1, Shing Chuen Chow1, Ming Ming Zhu1
1The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Purpose:
To determine the associations between axial length (AL) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)-based eye-related parameters.
Methods:
A prospective cross-sectional study of the right eye of 6953 individuals between the ages 50 and 97, with a range of AL from 19.1 to 31.7 mm was performed. Central subfield thickness (CST), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and mean vessel density (mVD) were measured by OCTA. Associations between OCTA-based parameters, eye-related and systemic-related parameters were assessed using one-way ANCOVA, multivariable linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis.
Results:
AL and OCTA-based parameters were negatively correlated with age. Increased AL was associated with increased CST (ß=3.59), decreased FAZ (ß=0.02), and decreased mVD (ß=-0.4) (all p = 0.000). Better best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was associated with larger FAZ (ß=-0.07) and higher mVD (ß=-3.160) (p = 0.002, p = 0.000). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus correlated with increased mVD (ß=0.5) and decreased mVD (ß=-0.18) respectively (p = 0.000, p = 0.023).
Conclusion:
Increased AL is associated with lower mVD which may be a potential factor between myopia and poor BCVA.
