The role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography in predicting outcomes of acute ocular burns.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) in determining the prognosis of ocular chemical injuries by correlating angiographic features with early complications and visual outcomes.

METHOD: Forty-six eyes of 36 patients with acute chemical injuries at Farabi Eye Hospital were studied prospectively. Participants received immediate medical care, followed by thorough ophthalmological examinations, including slit-lamp examination and AS-OCTA imaging. Angiographic parameters were analyzed for both superficial and deep layers of the ocular surface microcirculation in nasal and temporal quadrants.

RESULTS

The study found that increases in deep and superficial vessel diameter indices (VDI) are associated with higher risk of corneal melting and keratitis, respectively, while a decrease in deep VDI is associated with a significantly higher risk of conjunctivalisation. Decreased superficial vessel length density (VLD) and limbal superficial vessel density (VD) are associated with higher risks of corneal opacification. Additionally, limbal ischemia was found to be significantly correlated with longer healing times.

CONCLUSION

AS-OCTA shows potential as a prognostic tool in ocular chemical injuries. Considering the early changes in angiographic parameters, we can predict specific post-chemical-burn complications.