Foveal avascular zone and vessel density in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the ocular characteristics in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ocular characteristics. Systematic review with meta-analysis. Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, Embase, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane library) were selected for a systematic literature search from database inception to July 2022. The observational studies assessing and reporting at least one outcome regarding ocular characteristics in children and adolescents with ADHD or ASD aged 6-17 were included. Studies in languages other than English, studies of adult or elderly human populations, and animal studies were excluded. The results were analyzed following the PRISMA guideline 2020. The findings of 15 studies, including 433 participants with ADHD, 253 participants with ASD, and 514 participants with typical development (TD), revealed that there were no significant differences in retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, and macular thickness between the ADHD group and the TD group. In subgroup analysis, significant differences in inferior ganglion cell (MD = - 3.19; 95% CI = [- 6.06, - 0.31], p = 0.03) and nasal macular thickness (MD = 5.88; 95% CI = [- 0.01, 11.76], p = 0.05) were detected between the ADHD group and the TD group. A significant difference in pupillary light reflex (PLR) was also observed between the ASD group and the TD group (MD = 29.7; 95% CI = [18.79, 40.63], p < 0.001). Existing evidence suggests a possible association between children and adolescents with ADHD or ASD and ocular characteristics. Given the limited number of studies, further research on a larger cohort is necessary to claim a possible diagnosis of ADHD or ASD through ocular characteristics.

Choroidal Vascular Index in Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Methylphenidate

PURPOSE

To investigate choroidal vascularity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were not receiving therapy, children with ADHD who were regularly taking methylphenidate (MPH), and healthy controls.

METHODS

The study included three groups: patients with newly diagnosed ADHD without treatment, patients diagnosed as having ADHD who were already being treated with oral MPH, and controls. Both choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness were measured using an enhanced-depth imaging mode of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDIOCT) (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in CVI and stromal area between groups. Post-hoc univariate analysis showed that CVI was significantly lower in patients with ADHD treated with MPH compared with the other groups (P < .001, for each); however, there was no difference between the treatment-free ADHD group and controls (P = .305). In contrast, stromal area was significantly higher in patients with ADHD treated with MPH than the other groups (P < .001, for each group). The correlation of CVI with MPH treatment duration in patients with ADHD treated with MPH showed a significant, moderate negative correlation (P = .01, r = - 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

CVI is reduced in patients with ADHD treated with MPH, and the decrease in CVI becomes significant with increasing duration of MPH treatment. This result reflects an indirect effect of MPH treatment on choroidal vascular structures. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(6):411-416.].

Study of vessel density in adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy with optical coherence tomography angiography

BACKGROUND

To evaluate retinal and choriocapillaris (CC) vessel density in macular region in patients affected by adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) METHODS: A total forty-four right eyes of 44 AOFVD patients (20 females, 24 males, mean age 69.17 ± 11.57 years) divided in 3 stages (vitelliform, pseudohypopyon and vitelliruptive) and 60 normal right eyes of 60 controls (20 females, 40 males, mean age 66.04 ± 6.40 years) were included in this prospective study. We evaluated the vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and CC in different macular areas (whole image, parafovea and fovea). We also analyzed the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) with Enhanced Depth Image (EDI)-OCT.

RESULTS

The vessel density of SCP and of DCP did not differ between patients and controls in all macular sectors. The vessel density of CC was lower in patients compared to controls but the difference turned out to be statistically significant only in foveal region (p < 0.001). We found that the foveal vessel density of the CC was lower in vitelliform stage and significantly increased in vitelliruptive stage (p = 0.031). At EDI-OCT, the SFCT revealed a statistically significant increase in patients compared to controls (p = 0.002) whereas it was similar in the different stages of this dystrophy (p = 0.276).

CONCLUSIONS

In vitelliform stage of AOFVD, OCTA and EDI-OCT can be useful to avoid mistakes of evaluation, due to the masking effect artifact. OCTA provides us a better understanding of the vascular role in the physiopathology of the macular diseases.