BMC Ophthalmology (Nov 2024)

The analysis of foveal microvascular anomalies in retinopathy of prematurity after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy using optical coherence tomography angiography

  • Wenbo Liu,
  • Lili Guo,
  • Yi Cai,
  • Hua Xu,
  • Dandan Linghu,
  • Xuemei Zhu,
  • Yong Cheng,
  • Xun Deng,
  • Mingwei Zhao,
  • Xuan Shi,
  • Jianhong Liang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-024-03759-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background To investigate the quantitative vascular and structural differences in the foveal region of the eyes in retinopathy of prematurity children with or without anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and healthy children using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed 75 eyes from 44 subjects, categorized into four groups: ROP children treated with Conbercept or Ranibizumab, spontaneously regressed ROP, and healthy age-matched children. Using spectral-domain OCT and OCTA, we assessed parameters like central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial/deep capillary plexus (SCP/DCP), and choroidal vessel density (VD) at the fovea. Correlations between foveal microvasculature, preterm status and visual acuity were evaluated. Results Significant differences were found in FAZ area, CFT, and VD-SCP (parafoveal) among the groups. The FAZ area was smaller in ROP children (with/without treatment) than in healthy counterparts(p = 0.009). CFT was higher in the Ranibizumab and spontaneously regressed groups compared to healthy ones (p = 0.043, p = 0.037), while Conbercept-treated children showed no significant difference (p = 0.886). Foveal VD trends were higher in groups A, B, and C compared to group D. FAZ area correlated negatively with CFT, VD-SCP (foveal), and VD-DCP (foveal) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001), and positively with choroidal VD (p = 0.012). CFT showed positive correlations with VD-SCP (foveal) and VD-DCP (foveal) (p = 0.003, p = 0.001). Conclusion ROP children exhibit a smaller FAZ area compared to healthy group, with no significant difference noted when comparing the use of different anti-VEGF agents. ROP children have a thicker CFT than healthy children, except for those treated with Conbercept. Furthermore, microvascular irregularities were correlated with central foveal thickness.

Keywords