Purpose: To determine the long-term repeatability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in normal eyes. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 104 normal eyes. Participants were divided into three groups based on differences in the signal strength (SS) of OCTA scans obtained at two visits at least 6 months apart: group 1, SS difference = 2; group 2, 1; group 3, 0. We measured a foveal centred scan area of 3 3 3 mm pattern. All measurements were performed twice at 5-min intervals at the initial visit. The second measurements were performed at least 6 months later. Results: In short-term vessel density (VD) repeatability, the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 3.89% to 8.10% and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.785 to 0.941. In terms of long-term repeatability, the CV was 5.39-12.62% and the ICC was 0.598-0.867. In group 1, the ICCs of the inner and full VDs were 0.194 and 0.221, respectively. In groups 2 and 3, the ICCs of the inner and full VDs were 0.611 and 0.603, and 0.763 and 0.765, respectively. The central VDs of all groups had high CV besides high ICC.Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography angiography parameters showed good short-term and reasonable long-term repeatability in normal individuals. The differences in SSs between measurements affected such repeatability, so physicians should query the reliability of OCTA parameters when the differences in SS are 2 or more even when the SS is high.
Purpose: Hypertension (HTN) is expected to accelerate age-related ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GC-IPLs) reduction, but there is limited information on the reduction rate of GC-IPLs in HTN patients. We investigate longitudinal changes in the thickness of GC-IPL in patients with HTN. Methods: We performed a prospective, longitudinal and observational study design. Participants were divided into two groups: HTN group (49 eyes) and control group (56 eyes). After the initial visit, GC-IPLs were measured four times at 1-year intervals using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The GC-IPL reduction rate was estimated using a linear mixed model and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with reductions in GC-IPLs over time. Results: In a linear mixed model, the GC-IPL reduction rates for the HTN and control groups were À0.64 (p < 0.001) and À0.19 (p < 0.001) lm/year, respectively, and the interaction between group and follow-up duration was significant (p < 0.001). In the HTN group, all sectors exhibited significant reductions over time (all p < 0.001). Results from univariate and multivariate linear mixed model analyses revealed that age and IOP were significantly associated (p = 0.009 and 0.047, respectively) with reductions in GC-IPLs in HTN patients. Conclusion: Patients with HTN exhibited a significant reduction in GC-IPLs compared to normal subjects. Additionally, age and IOP affected the reduction rate of GC-IPLs in HTN patients. In various ophthalmic diseases, physicians should consider the longitudinal effect of HTN on GC-IPLs.
Background: We aimed to analyse the retinal microvasculature and choriocapillaris according to the dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) stage and to identify factors associated with their microvasculatures. Methods: Patients were divided into four groups: normal controls, early, intermediate and advanced AMD groups. The vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and choriocapillaris was compared using optical coherence tomography angiography among the groups.Linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the VD. Results:The VDs of the SCP were 22.1 ± 5.7, 19.1 ± 5.4, 18.0 ± 6.4 and 12.2 ± 6.4% (p < 0.001); the VDs of the DCP were 22.4 ± 4.5, 20.7 ± 4.3, 18.1 ± 5.3 and 14.6 ± 5.8% (p < 0.001); the VDs of the choriocapillaris were 29.4 ± 3.7, 26.4 ± 4.8, 24.5 ± 4.9 and 24.2 ± 3.7% (p < 0.001) in the control, early, intermediate, and advanced groups, respectively. AMD stage and age were significantly associated with the VDs of all layers, and the VDs of the SCP and DCP were associated with visual acuity (both p < 0.001). Additionally, hypertension was associated with the VDs of the DCP (p = 0.027) and choriocapillaris (p = 0.024). Conclusions: The retinal microvasculature and choriocapillaris tended to become more impaired as the AMD stage progressed. Age was significantly associated with the microvasculature impairments of all layers, and hypertension was significantly associated with impairments of the DCP microvasculature and choriocapillaris.
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