Analysis of foveal microvascular abnormalities in various stages of diabetic retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography

Abstract

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a leading cause of vision loss in the adult population. The purpose of our study was to analyze and co-relate diabetic retinopathy-related micro-vascular changes using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) in various stages of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: One hundred and twenty eyes of diabetic patients were categorized into three groups of forty each. Group-A included eyes without retinopathy, Group-B included eyes with Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Group-C included eyes with proliferative DR. Apart from complete ocular examination, foveal avascular zone parameters were analyzed using OCTA. Results: Statistically significant differences were found concerning vascular density and perfusion density between eyes with DR when compared to eyes without DR (P>0.001). 9 Vascular density (VD) significantly decreases in eyes with the progressive stage of DR. Foveal avascular zone showed a significant increase in area, perimeter, and circularity in the eyes with PDR compared to other groups. Conclusion: FAZ metrics showed significant changes proportional to diabetic retinopathy stages. Vascular density and perfusion density parameter analysis by OCTA could be used as early biomarkers in predicting the risk of diabetic retinopathy progression.

Keywords

• diabetic macular edema
• diabetic retinopathy
• foveal avascular zone
• optical coherence tomography angiography
• superficial capillary plexus
• vessel density