Superficial and Deep Capillary Plexuses: Potential Biomarkers of Focal Retinal Defects in Eyes Affected by Macular Idiopatic Epiretinal Membranes? A Pilot Study

Abstract

Inner macular layers are the most involved in the retinal distortion caused by idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). They represent the anatomical structures in which the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexus are embedded. We quantified flow signal (FS) in these capillary plexuses using Swept Source OCT angiography to identify possible markers for postoperative outcome. The software ImageJ was used to quantify the FS in a 150 µm radius area around each point analyzed by MAIA microperimeter. In 16 patients with unilateral iERM, focal light sensitivity (FLS) in the para- and perimacular areas was measured to evaluate macular function in 24 points overlapping macular plexuses and compared with normal fellow eyes (FEs). t-Test for independent samples iERM eyes (iERMEs) vs. fellow eyes (FEs) and Pearson correlation coefficient of FS vs. FLS in each point were calculated. A level of p p p = 0.827, p = 0.791). Correlation in focal retinal areas between FLS and FS in ERMEs was significant in SCP (p = 0.002) and not significant in DCP (p = 0.205); in FEs was significant in both SCP (p p = 0.022). As previously described, these defective areas were located mainly in sites of distortion of retinal layers; therefore, it can be hypothesized that a focal change in FS, occurring mostly in SCP, could be involved in the onset of the functional defect.

Keywords

• optical coherence tomography angiography
• microperimetry
• non-invasive retinal imaging
• biomarkers
• idiopathic epiretinal membrane