The application of optical coherence tomography angiography in uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases

Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography in uveitis: A review

“…In addition, different structures within the eye can be involved at the same time. This generates an overlap of OCT/OCTA findings that are often poorly described, hard to standardize, and apparently difficult to interpret . In such a complex scenario, the application of simple rules, based on how the OCT/OCTA images are formed, is fundamental to interpret and understand the nature of the findings.…”

“…This can be detected directly by OCTA and indirectly by OCT. In the iris, OCTA can detect dilation of vessels during acute iridocyclitis, whereas retinal microvascular changes are visible in acute uveitis . An increase of the choroidal thickness can also be seen on OCT scans in most cases of uveitis, including those mainly affecting the anterior segment .…”

“…Finally, OCT and OCTA are useful tools to detect and manage inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) (Figure C,D) . As OCTA utilizes no dye, it does not detect leakage due to alterations of the blood retinal barrier, as traditional angiography does .…”

“…While the absence of leakage on OCTA images may be a limitation in the detection of inflammatory changes such as exudative vasculitis, it can be an advantage in the detection of iCNVs. In fact, both iCNVs and other inflammatory lesions may show leakage on fluorescein angiography, but OCTA can easily differentiate them by visualizing the neovascular network that characterizes iCNVs …”

“…The inflammatory process promotes changes to the blood supply, the cellular components and the chemical environment of the involved area . These structural and functional modifications can result in transient and/or permanent changes to the tissues, both detectable with OCT and OCTA …”