Evaluation of parafoveal and peripapillary vascular densities using optical coherence tomography angiography in children with thalassemia major

Alterations in optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography findings in children with partial biotinidase deficiency

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate whether retinal neurovascular structural impairment in children with partial biotinidase deficiency (BD) could be detected early via optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

Eighty patients with partial BD and 80 control cases without any known systemic or ocular diseases were enrolled in this prospective study. Retinal neurovascular structures in the macular and optic disc regions were examined in using OCT and OCTA. Data from subjects with partial BD were compared with data from healthy controls.

RESULTS

A statistically significant decrease in the vessel density (VD) was observed in both superior and inferior parts of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) in the partial BD patient group compared with the control group (p<0.05). A significant decrease in the VD was also observed in the superior and inferior peripapillary SCP-DCP regions of the optic disc area in the patients with partial BD (p<0.05). Both the superficial and deep foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas were significantly enlarged in the partial BD group with respect to the control group (p=0.026, p=0.021 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In the partial BD patients, the vascular density in the macula and optic disc region is decreased in childhood, when compared to the control group. In patients with partial BD, it would be very useful to detect the early neurovascular changes that may occur during the course of the disease by means of a noninvasive technique such as OCTA.

Papillary and peripapillary vascular densities and corresponding correlation with peripapillary retinal thicknesses using optical coherence tomography angiography in healthy children and adolescents

To evaluate the peripapillary retinal thickness (PPRT), vascular density (PPVD), and disc vascular density (PVD) and their correlations in normal healthy children using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). This was a cross-sectional study of 70 eyes from 36 normal healthy children aged 6-18 years who performed optic nerve head scans using OCTA. The PPRT included the peripapillary nerve fiber layer (PP-RNFLT), inner retina (PP-IRT), middle retinal thickness, and outer retinal thicknesses. The PP-RNFLT and PP-IRT were not significantly different between males and females. Superior nasal peripapillary RNFLT and IRT were significantly affected by age (ANOVA, P > 0.05). The PP-IRT and PP-RNFLT were lower in the 7-11 years old group in comparison with the other 3 groups (Post hoc Tukey test, P value < 0.05). Age and sex-matched PVD were not correlated with PPVD (partial correlation, P > 0.05). PPRT was not correlated with PVD, PPVD, superficial and deep retinal vascular densities, and choroidal vascular density. This study demonstrated that PPRT appears to change during growth in childhood. Superior nasal PPRT was affected more in the groups, decreasing from less than 7 years old to 7-11 years old and then back to pre-reduction values after 11 years old.