Four years follow‐up OCTA changes in long‐term type 1 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) Vol. 102; no. S279
• Main Authors: Sopeña‐Pinilla, Maria, Fernández‐Espinosa, Guisela, Álvarez, Marta Arias, Alonso, Sofia Bielsa, Hospital, Elvira Orduna, Tomas‐Grasa, Cristina, Boned‐Murillo, Ana, Díaz‐Barreda, Mª Dolores, Acha, Javier, Pinilla, Isabel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Angiography; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic retinopathy; Horizontal cells; Retina; Retinopathy; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1755-375X; 1755-3768
• DOI: 10.1111/aos.15943

Aims/Purpose: To assess changes in retinal capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris over 4 years' time in long‐term Type 1 diabetic patients (DM1) without diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Twenty‐four eyes of 24 long‐term DM1 patients with no DR lesions were examined by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) over a 4 year follow‐up period. Vascular density (VD) of both superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses (SCP, DCP) and choriocapillaris (CC) were compared, as well as foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and diameters. Results: Mean age was 46.84 ± 11.28 years and the average DM1 evolution time was 28.88 ± 8.04 years. Mean HbA1c level was 7.34 ± 0.94% at the last examination. SCP showed a statistically significant increase in VD in all areas except the inferior quadrant. There were no changes in the area or diameters of the FAZ in the SCP. In the DCP, there was a significant increase in VD in the temporal quadrant and a decrease in the inferior quadrant, along with a decrease in the horizontal diameter of the FAZ. The nasal area of the CC showed a significant increase in VD. Conclusions: DM1 patients present changes in the inner retina microvascularization after a follow‐up period of 4 years before displaying any signs of DR, mainly an increase in VD the SCP of the retina, along with a decrease in VD in the inferior quadrant of the DCP.