Superficial vessel density and determinants of macular microvasculature in healthy Chinese subjects

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the vessel density (VD) of the macular superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and its associated factors in healthy subjects. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study enrolled healthy Chinese volunteers. The optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to measure the superficial VD in macula. A generalized estimation equation (GEE) model was used to analyze the ocular and systemic associated factors. Results: A total of 516 eyes of 262 healthy subjects were included (mean age 38.59 ± 21.03 years). The total VD of macular SCP was 16.85 ± 2.28 mm−1. The VD in the inner ring and outer ring were significantly higher than that in the central ring, with the density being highest in nasal quadrant and lowest in the superior quadrant. After adjusting the ocular and systemic factors, age (β=-0.0085, P = 0.0122) and SSI (β=1.3261, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with total VD of the macular SCP. Conclusions: Among the healthy Chinese subjects included in the study, the mean total VD of macular SCP was 16.85 ± 2.28mm-1. The macular superficial capillary density was positively associated with age and SSI. Further studies are still required to better understand the change of macular VD in aging and other pathological conditions.

Keywords

• Age
• Macula
• Optical coherence tomography angiography
• Scanning signal index
• Superficial capillary density