Quantification of macular perfusion using optical coherence tomography angiography: repeatability and impact of an eye-tracking system

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of integration of the eye-tracking system (ET) on the repeatability of flow density measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. Methods 20 healthy subjects were included in this study. OCT-angiography was performed using RTVue XR Avanti (Optovue Inc., Fremont, California, USA). The macula was imaged using a 3 × 3 mm scan twice with and twice without activation of the ET. Flow density data of the macular in the superficial and deep OCT angiograms were extracted and analyzed. Results The difference between the flow density (whole en face) in the first session and second session with and without ET was statistically non-significant (with ET: superficial retinal OCT angiogram: p = 0.50; deep retinal OCT angiogram: p = 0.89; without ET: superficial retinal OCT angiogram: p = 0.81; deep retinal OCT angiogram: p = 0.24). There was no significant difference in the coefficients of repeatability for measurements with and without ET in the superficial retinal OCT angiogram (adjusted p-value = 0.176), whereas the difference was significant for the deep retinal OCT angiogram (adjusted p-value = 0.008). Conclusions Integration of the ET improved the repeatability of flow density measurements in the deep OCT angiogram; this needs to be considered when evaluating the long-term changes of flow density and when comparing data of different studies and different devices.

Keywords

• Eye-tracking system
• Macular perfusion
• Optical coherence tomography angiography