Functional and Structural Findings in Infants Treated for Retinopathy of Prematurity Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To assess the foveal microvascular structure of children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with diode laser photocoagulation using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

OCTA was performed at a tertiary medical center in 17 children (27 eyes) aged 4 to 16 years with a history of diode laser photocoagulation treated ROP. OCTA parameters were compared with those of 12 healthy age-matched controls (23 eyes) attending the orthoptics clinic and correlated with clinical factors.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, the ROP group had a smaller foveal avascular zone area (P < .001), lower deep vascular plexus density (P < .001), lower flow density (P = .025), and greater central macular thickness (P < .001). High intraventricular hemorrhage grade correlated with smaller foveal avascular zone area (P = .008) and greater inner macular thickness (P = .047). There was no impact of gestational age, birth weight, or refractive status.

CONCLUSION

OCTA can identify significant quantifiable long-term macular microvascular and structural changes in this patient population. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53(4):194-201.].