The quantitative measurements of foveal avascular zone using optical coherence tomography angiography in normal volunteers

Abstract

Purpose: To provide normative data of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and thickness. Methods: In this cross-sectional study both eyes of each normal subject were scanned with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for foveal superficial and deep avascular zone (FAZ) and central foveal thickness (CFT) and parafoveal thickness (PFT). Results: Out of a total of 224 eyes of 112 volunteers with a mean age of 37.03 (12–67) years, the mean superficial FAZ area was 0.27 mm2, and deep FAZ area was 0.35 mm2 (P < 0.001), with no difference between both eyes. Females had a larger superficial (0.32 ± 0.11 mm2 versus 0.23 ± 0.09 mm2) and deep FAZ (0.40 ± 0.14 mm2 versus 0.31 ± 0.10 mm2) (P < 0.001) than males. By multivariate linear regression analysis, in normal eyes, superficial FAZ area varied significantly with the gender, CFT, and deep FAZ. Deep FAZ varied with the gender and CFT. Conclusion: The gender and CFT influence the size of normal superficial and deep FAZ of capillary network. Keywords: FAZ, Fovea, Foveal avascular zone, Foveal thickness, Normal eye, Optical coherence tomography angiography