Peripheral and central retinal vascular changes in asymptomatic family members of patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the peripheral vascular changes and effects of these on macular microvasculature in asymptomatic family members of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study including 61 eyes of asymptomatic family members of FEVR patients. Retinal abnormalities were assessed via ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The eyes were grouped into 3: the first group comprised of eyes with normal findings on UWF-FA; the second group comprised of eyes with abnormal findings on UWF-FA but without any retinal ischemia; and the third group involved eyes with retinal ischemia or neovascularization.

RESULTS

Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in all eyes. Forty eyes (65.6%) had abnormalities on UWF-FA. The most common feature was peripheral vascular looping, increased tortuosity, and anastomosis (63.9%). ODM/ODD ratio was higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. Deep foveal VD was lower in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3. The mean FAZ area and perimeter were smaller in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1.

CONCLUSION

Even asymptomatic family members of FEVR patients may have significant peripheral retinal vascular abnormalities which may be associated with smaller optic disc, macular ectopia, and macular microvascular changes.