Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis of the Foveal Avascular Zone and Macular Vessel Density After Anti-VEGF Therapy in Eyes With Diabetic Macular Edema and Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 30 - 34
• Main Authors: Ghasemi Falavarjani, Khalil, Iafe, Nicholas A, Hubschman, Jean-Pierre, Tsui, Irena, Sadda, Srinivas R, Sarraf, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Aged; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Diabetic Retinopathy - complications; Diabetic Retinopathy - diagnosis; Diabetic Retinopathy - physiopathology; Female; Fluorescein Angiography - methods; Follow-Up Studies; Fovea Centralis - pathology; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Macula Lutea - blood supply; Macular Edema - diagnosis; Macular Edema - etiology; Macular Edema - physiopathology; Male; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Retinal Vein Occlusion - complications; Retinal Vein Occlusion - diagnosis; Retinal Vein Occlusion - physiopathology; Retinal Vessels - pathology; Tomography, Optical Coherence - methods; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - antagonists & inhibitors; Visual Acuity
• ISSN: 1552-5783; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-20579

To evaluate the changes in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and the retinal capillary density after a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion. In this prospective noncomparative case series, 18 eyes of 15 patients with diabetic macular edema (13 eyes) or macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (5 eyes) were included. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were obtained, and retinal capillary vessel density and FAZ area were measured in the foveal and parafoveal regions at the level of the superficial (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) before and at the first visit after intravitreal injection. The mean interval between baseline and follow up OCTA was 32.5 ± 9.4 (range, 21-50) days. Foveal and parafoveal vessel density in the SCP and DCP were not significantly different before and after intravitreal injection (all P > 0.1), nor was FAZ area (P = 0.48 and P = 0.42, respectively). No significant difference was found between eyes with diabetic macular edema and those with retinal vein occlusion with respect to the mean change of vessel density and FAZ area (all P > 0.05). In this pilot study, retinal capillary density and FAZ area remained statistically unchanged in the short-term after a single intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF agent.