Optical coherence tomography angiography characteristics of acute retinal arterial occlusion

Abstract

Background: To characterize the vascular changes in eyes within the acute phase of retinal arterial occlusion (RAO) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) imaging. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study. Nineteen patients with RAO (symptom onset within 7 days) and 19 age and sex-matched normal control individuals were included. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination and OCT-A examination were conducted for all the patients. Results: The vessel density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and area with a width of 300 μm around the FAZ (FD-300) was significantly reduced in RAO patients compared with that in the fellow eyes and normal control eyes. The vessel density of the SCP of RAO fellow eyes was significantly lower than that of the normal control eyes (all P < 0.05). Though no difference was observed in the FAZ of RAO eyes compared with that of fellow eyes and normal control eyes, the acircularity index (AI) of the FAZ was significantly increased in RAO eyes (P < 0.05). Central macular thickness (CMT) was correlated with best-corrected visual acuity in central retinal arterial occlusion (CRAO) patients (r = 0.626, P = 0.024). In BRAO eyes, the vessel density of the RAO-affected hemifield was significantly reduced compared with that of the unaffected hemifield (P < 0.05). Radial peripapillary plexus (RPC) vessel density was reduced, accompanied by retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in 3 available CRAO patients. Conclusions: As a valuable noninvasive imaging tool, OCT-A provides deeper and more detailed vascular information that extends our understanding of the vasculature alterations in acute RAO.

Central retinal artery occlusion and optic neuropathy secondary to platelet rich plasma injection: a case report

“…We postulate that the retrograde flow of the PRP material may have affected both the central retinal artery and the posterior ciliary artery that mainly supplies the intraorbital and intraocular portion of the optic nerve, resulting in impairment of small nutrient vessels feeding the nerve by ischemic or inflammatory process and consequently causing optic neuropathy. Our case study shows that OCTA is a useful tool to establish reduced perfusion and vessel density, conforming to the study by Yang et al [10] that vessel density of the SCP and a 300 μm area around the foveal avascular zone is significantly reduced in retinal artery occlusion. OCTA is also a non-invasive alternative diagnostic tool to monitor progression of patients with vascular occlusions [11] .…”

Macular Structure and Microvasculature Changes in AIDS-Related Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

“…Optical coherence tomography angiography signal strength is a quality-image measure. Previous studies described only the cut-off value of the signal strength index ( 23 ), qualitative judgement for signal detection ( 6 ), or degree of vitreous haze ( 22 ). We showed a quantitative judgement of the signal strength.…”

The Retrobulbar Spot Sign and Prominent Middle Limiting Membrane as Prognostic Markers in Non-Arteritic Retinal Artery Occlusion

“…This is reflected by the significant less central macular thickness in the group of patients with a p-MLM sign. Central macular thickness has been shown to be positively correlated with BCVA, with inverse correlation of macula swelling with visual acuity, the more severe the swelling, the visual acuity worsens [ 26 ]. However, there is data, were this correlation could not be shown [ 27 ].…”