Projection-resolved optical coherence tomography angiography exhibiting early flow prior to clinically observed retinal angiomatous proliferation

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze early retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) utilizing a novel imaging modality, Projection-Resolved Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (PR-OCTA). Observations: Five months prior to the diagnosis of a RAP lesion, cross-sectional PR-OCTA demonstrated flow in the outer retina contiguous with the deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) and adjacent to a small pigment epithelial detachment. After development of a clinically visible RAP lesion, cross-sectional PR-OCTA demonstrated the RAP lesion connecting DCP and sub-retinal pigment epithelial neovascularization. Conclusions & importance: This is the first report of PR-OCTA demonstrating abnormal flow in the outer retina prior to the development of a clinically detectable RAP lesion. PR-OCTA may be useful for surveillance and to help further characterize and stage RAP lesions.

Keywords

• Optical coherence tomography angiography
• Type 3 choroidal neovascularization
• Retinal angiomatous proliferation
• Neovascular age-related macular degeneration