65-degree widefield swept-source OCTA imaging allows for precise noninvasive detection of vascular alterations in eyes with retinal vein occlusion, with ghost vessels and collateral vessels serving as indicators of underlying non-perfusion areas.
Key Findings
Results
Non-perfusion areas (NPAs) were found in 69.1% of RVO eyes studied, with similar prevalence between CRVO and BRVO subtypes.
NPAs were present in 56 of 81 eyes (69.1%)
CRVO eyes with NPAs: 69.7% (n = 23 of 33)
BRVO eyes with NPAs: 68.8% (n = 33 of 48)
Median NPA size was 45.34 mm² (interquartile range 11.39–81.39 mm²)
NPAs were manually annotated on en face images using Fiji software
Results
Ghost vessels showed a significant positive correlation with NPA size in eyes with RVO.
Spearman correlation coefficient rs = 0.49, P < 0.001, CI = 0.302–0.64
This was the strongest correlation observed among all retinal features and NPA size
Ghost vessels may be indicators of underlying NPAs in RVO
Results
Collateral vessels showed a significant positive correlation with NPA size in eyes with RVO.
Spearman correlation coefficient rs = 0.344, P = 0.002, CI = 0.136–0.523
For BRVO specifically, collateral vessels were identified as potential indicators for underlying NPAs
Collateral vessels were among the retinal features graded on an extended ETDRS grid up to 18 mm
Results
Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size showed a significant negative correlation with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
Spearman correlation coefficient rs = -0.429, P < 0.001, CI = -0.593 to -0.231
Larger FAZ size was associated with worse BCVA
FAZ was among the retinal features graded on the extended ETDRS grid
Results
For BRVO eyes specifically, multiple retinal features were identified as potential indicators for underlying NPAs.
Collateral vessels, intraretinal fluid (IRF), intraretinal/preretinal hemorrhage (IRH), and crossing signs (CS) were identified as indicators of underlying NPAs in BRVO
BRVO comprised 59.3% of the study cohort (n = 48 eyes)
Median disease duration for the overall cohort was 25 months (interquartile range 11–53 months)
Methods
The study cohort consisted of 81 patients with RVO imaged using a custom-built 65-degree widefield swept-source OCTA prototype.
81 eyes (48 right, 33 left) of 81 patients were analyzed
50.6% women, mean age 65 ± 12.4 years
33 eyes (40.7%) had CRVO and 48 (59.3%) had BRVO
The custom-built prototype had an A-scan rate of 1.7 megahertz (MHz)
Patients required symptoms >3 months duration for inclusion; retinal features were graded on an extended ETDRS grid up to 18 mm