Long-term repeatability of peripapillary optical coherence tomography angiography measurements in healthy eyes

Abstract

This is a prospective observational study to establish the short- and long-term repeatability of measurements of peripapillary optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in healthy eyes and identify factors affecting long-term repeatability. We enrolled 84 healthy eyes. Participants with a history of any ophthalmic disease (except high myopia) or intraocular surgery were excluded from the study. An experienced examiner performed OCTA using disc-centered 6 × 6 mm scans. All examinations were conducted twice at 5-min intervals at the initial visit and repeated at least 6 months later. For short-term repeatability, the coefficient of variation (CV) was 2.94–4.22% and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.840–0.934. For long-term repeatability, the CV was 2.73–3.84% and the ICC was 0.737–0.934. Multivariate analyses showed that the axial length (AL) (B = 0.970; p = 0.002) and mean signal strength (SS) (B = − 2.028; p < 0.001) significantly affected long-term repeatability. Measurements of peripapillary OCTA parameters exhibited excellent short-term and good long-term repeatability in healthy individuals. The mean SS and AL affected long-term repeatability and should be considered while interpreting peripapillary OCTA images.

Microvascular Density Analysis of Patients with Inactive Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—A Two-Year Follow-Up Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study

“…Since, in contrast to the SLE patients, the healthy participants were not followed over the study period of two years, this study does not have a control group, which is another limitation. However, good long-term repeatability and reproducibility of OCT-A measurements in healthy subjects have been reported [33]. It can therefore be concluded that, despite the lack of a healthy control group, the measured VD reduction in SLE patients is valid and cannot be attributed to a mere timeand age-related reduction.…”

“…Optical coherence tomography angiography is a relatively new technique, which offers a uniquely simple, non-invasive visualization of the microcirculation [29]. The automated VD measurements using the Revue software enable measurements with good repeatability and reproducibility [30][31][32][33]. Vascular disease is frequent in patients with SLE, and it is the major cause of death-established SLE.…”