1. Assessment of Foveal Avascular Zone in Diabetic Retinopathy by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Correlation Analysis with Peripheral Perfusion Index
Corbelli E1, Rabiolo A1, Cicinelli MV1, Querques L1, Carnevali A1,2, Querques G1, Bandello F1
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Vita-Salute University, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
2 Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
PURPOSE: To investigate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in patients affected by diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its correlation with peripheral retinal perfusion index.
METHODS: Patients presenting with treatment naïve mild to moderate nonproliferative (NP)DR between October and February All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological evaluation including ultra wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWF FA; California, Optos plc, Dumferline, Scotland), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A; Angioplex™, CIRRUS HD-OCT models 5000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, USA). A correlation analysis (Pearson Test) between peripheral perfusion index, and central ischemia and FAZ size was performed.
RESULTS: Nine eyes of 6 consecutive patients (4 males, 2 females) were enrolled in this study. DR was graded as mild in 3 eyes and as moderate in 6 eyes. FAZ size was ± 0.16 mm2 and peripheral perfusion index was 23.7 ± %. No significant correlation between FAZ and peripheral retinal perfusion was found (r = 0.63, P = ).
Fig 1. A) Ultra Wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography (UWF FA) of RE of a 41-year-old woman with mild Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) showing leaking vessels on the edge of peripheral ischemic areas. B) Corresponding three-by-three millimeter Optical Coherence Tomography Angiogram (OCT-A) of the superficial capillary plexus showing foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement and remodeling, seen as capillary non perfusion with microaneurysms adjacent to the FAZ. A B A B
Fig 2. A) Ultra Wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography (UWF FA) of RE of a 52-year-old man with moderate Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) showing very extended retinal ischemia with leakage diffused from posterior pole to the periphery. B) On the corresponding Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A), enlargement of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vascular tortuosity and ischemic areas are evident.
CONCLUSIONS
In this small series of mild to moderate NPDR eyes, peripheral retinal perfusion as evaluated by UWF FA was not correlated to FAZ size as evaluated by OCTA.
Disclosures - None