Changes in circumpapillary retinal vessel density after acute primary angle closure episode via OCT angiography

Viral Anterior Uveitis: Differences in Retinal Vessel Area Density between the Affected and Non-Affected Eye Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

PURPOSE

To investigate differences in the retinal vessel area density (VAD) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) between eyes with unilateral herpetic viral anterior uveitis (VAU) (herpes-simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV)) and the non-affected fellow eye.

METHODS

In this monocentric, observational, prospective case series we analyzed the VAD of the macula, optic disc, and peripapillary region in affected and non-affected eyes of 22 patients with HSV-positive and 22 patients with VZV-positive VAU using OCTA. We analyzed also the visual field mean deviation (MD), the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, Bruch's Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width (BMO-MRW), and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness on OCT and correlated the results with the different VADs.

RESULTS

The macular VAD in the superficial vascular plexus (SVC) was significant lower in the affected compared to the non-affected eye for both viruses (HSV: 33.0% ± 3.3% vs. 34.7% ± 2.6%, p = 0.011; adjusted p = 0.040; VZV: 33.1% ± 3.2% vs. 34.3% ± 2.8%, p = 0.012; adjusted p = 0.050). Additionally, the VAD of the peripapillary SVC differed between the affected and non-affected eye for VZV-positive VAU (47.1% ± 6.2% vs. 50.5% ± 6.3%, p = 0.048, adjusted p = 0.100). For both HSV-positive and VZV-positive VAU, there were correlations between macular or peripapillary SVC VAD and BMO-MRW, GCL thickness, RNFL thickness or MD of the affected eye.

CONCLUSION

We observed vascular dysfunction characterized by decreased macular and peripapillary VAD in the superficial plexus on OCTA in eyes with HSV- and VZV-positive VAU compared to non-affected fellow eyes. These changes might be an early sign of glaucomatous damage or may be a direct consequence of the herpes viruses themselves.

Cytomegalovirus-positive Posner-Schlossman syndrome: to compare differences in retinal vessel area density between the affected and non-affected eye using optical coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE

To analyse differences in the retinal microvasculature in eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-positive Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) compared to the non-affected eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

In this monocentric, observational prospective case series, 25 patients with unilateral CMV-positive PSS were included. We compared the vessel area densities (VAD) in the macula, optic disc, and peripapillary region in PSS-affected and non-affected eyes using OCTA. We compared the visual fields (VF) of the affected and healthy eyes of each patient. The mean deviation (MD) of the VF was analysed together with the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness to evaluate the strength of correlation with the VAD parameters.

RESULTS

The VAD of the peripapillary superficial vascular complex (SVC) is significantly reduced in CMV-positive PSS-affected eyes (46.1 ± 9.3% versus 50.1 ± 6.3%, p = 0.008, adjusted p = 0.048). The VAD of the deeper macular, papillary, and peripapillary layers showed no differences between the affected and non-affected eyes. The mean deviation and the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness had correlations with the VAD of the macula (r = 0.451, p = 0.001, r = 0.553, p < 0.001), the peripapillary SCV (r = 0.430, p = 0.002, r = 0.723, p < 0.001), and the papillary region (r = 0.512, p < 0.001, r = 0.292, p = 0.039). Patients receiving systemic antiviral therapy (SAT) showed better VAD of the peripapillary choriocapillary layer (p = 0.001, no therapy: 31.4 ± 1.9%, SAT: 35.0 ± 1.6%), and choroidal layer (p = 0.009, no therapy: 34.2 ± 0.3%, SAT: 36.3 ± 1.8%) compared to those with no SAT.

CONCLUSION

A lower peripapillary VAD in the SVC might indicate vascular dysfunction as a sign of glaucomatous damage. SAT might have positive effects on the microcirculation in the deep retinal and choroidal layers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

TRN: DRKS00028266, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ .

Evaluation of microvascular changes in the retina and choriocapillaris in primary glaucoma and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with optical coherence tomography angiography

BACKGROUND

To assess quantitatively the microvascular changes in the retina and choroid of healthy eyes, eyes of subjects with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

A series of healthy individuals and subjects with PACG, POAG and NMOSD were recruited in this cross-sectional study. OCTA was performed to capture the optic nerve head and macula images and the vessel density (VD) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were quantified. The choriocapillary flow density (CFD) was calculated as the percentage of flow area to the whole selected area.

RESULTS

A total of 68 PACG subjects, 25 POAG subjects, 51 NMOSD subjects and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. Significant decreases in peripapillary VD and RNFL thickness were observed in PACG (p < 0.001) and POAG (p < 0.001) eyes and also in NMOSD subjects with an optic neuritis history (p < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Unaffected eyes in PACG and POAG subjects had lower baseline peripapillary VD than healthy controls (p = 0.002 and p = 0.011, respectively). PACG eyes showed a lower baseline CFD than POAG (p = 0.0027) and the CFD in early and advanced PACG eyes showed a significantly much more decrease than POAG (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The peripapillary vessel density and RNFL thickness was reduced in glaucomatous and NMOSD eyes compared with healthy controls. PACG eyes showed a lower CFD than POAG and the distinct peripapillary and choriocapillaris microvasculature changes may be correlated to different PACG and POAG pathogenesis.

Predictors of long-term visual field outcome after an episode of acute primary angle closure

BACKGROUND

To investigate the long-term visual field (VF) outcome and baseline factors associated with functional sequelae in patients who experienced an episode of acute primary angle closure (APAC) and underwent subsequent lens extraction.

METHODS

Fifty patients (50 eyes) who experienced an APAC episode and underwent subsequent lens extraction at Chonnam National University Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients underwent VF examinations after 1 year of an acute episode. They were classified into two groups based on whether they had significant VF defects or not. Demographic data were recorded, and baseline anterior-segment OCT (AS-OCT) images were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess baseline risk factors for presence of VF defects.

RESULTS

Twenty-five (50%) eyes were found to have varied degree of VF defects after 1 year of an acute episode. Longer duration between the symptom onset and IOP lowering (p = 0.005), a higher presenting IOP (p = 0.014), and flat iris curvature (p = 0.037) at baseline AS-OCT measurement were significant predictors of VF loss. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) revealed that combination of these three potential baseline factors could predict the long-term VF outcome (AUC = 0.921).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients exhibiting a long duration between symptom onset and IOP lowering, a high presenting IOP, and flat iris curvature were at a higher risk of visual impairment after an episode of APAC. The eyes with such features may require more careful follow-up after an episode of APAC.

Quantitative Measurements of Vessel Density and Blood Flow Areas Primary Angle Closure Diseases: A Study of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

(1) Purpose: To measure the change in vessel density (VD) and the flow area (FA) on the retina of eyes with primary angle-closure diseases (PACD), including primary angle-closure suspect (PACS), primary angle-closure (PAC), acute primary angle-closure (APAC) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). (2) Methods: Patients with PACD were prospectively enrolled in this study. All participants underwent thorough ophthalmic examinations. The mean defect (MD), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, VD measurement, and blood FA were measured. (3) Results: A total of 147 eyes from 121 subjects were included in this study. The VD of the nerve head layer was significantly lower in PACG and APAC (all p < 0.001). APAC and PACG had lower FA of all layers, except for the choroid layer (p < 0.05). The macular VD of the whole image and blood FA in the superficial layer was significantly lower in PACG (all p < 0.001). The MD, RNFL, and GCC thickness demonstrated a strong correlation with whole image VD in the superficial layer (p < 0.001), while the inside disc VD did not show a significant correlation with MD, RNFL, and GCC thickness (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: There was a significant decrease in the VD and FA on the optic disc as well as the VD and FA of the superficial layer in the macular area in APAC and PACG. The changes in VD and FA are correlated with the severity of the glaucomatous structural damage and functional impairment.