Quantitative Analysis of the Changes of Retinal Blood Flow Density and Retinal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy by OCTA

Abstract

In our current study, we aim to quantitatively analyze the alterations in retinal BFD and retinal thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We analyzed retinal blood flow density (BFD) and thickness in 60 diabetic retinopathy patients using OCTA, comparing them with 60 healthy individuals. Results showed significant lower retinal BFD in the observation group in both superficial and deep capillaries. The retinal thickness of the patients in the observation group was greater. the overall and paracentric concave of the BFD in the superficial capillary layer, the overall and paracentric concave, and subcentral concave of BFD in deep capillary layer, and the overall, central concave, paracentric concave, and subcentral concave of retinal thickness had a certain correlation with diabetic retinopathy. The overall, central concave, paracentric concave, and subcentral concave of the BFD in superficial and deep capillary layer and retinal thickness all had certain predictive values for diabetic retinopathy, and predictive values for the disease were indicated by AUC values ranging from 0.616 to 0.990 (p < 0.05). OCTA examination revealed a notable decrease in retinal BFD and increase in retinal thickness, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic tool for diabetic retinopathy.