Foveal microvascular anomalies on optical coherence tomography angiography and the correlation with foveal thickness and visual acuity in retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To assess foveal microvascular structure and the correlation between foveal retinal thickness and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

This is a retrospective case-control study. A total 42 eyes in 23 patients with history of anti-vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) agent treatment and 51 eyes of 27 healthy age-matched subjects as the control group were analyzed. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and foveal vessel density (VD) were measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Foveal thickness was measured by cross-sectional OCT. Correlations between FAZ area, foveal VD, foveal thickness, BCVA, gestational age (GA), and birth body weight (BBW) were performed.

RESULTS

ROP children had a significantly smaller FAZ area and higher foveal VD, and the foveal thickness was significantly higher as compared to controls (all P < 0.0001). We noted a significant negative correlation between FAZ area and foveal thickness. In addition, a significant positive correlation between foveal VD and foveal thickness was identified. With regard to prematurity status, gestational age and birth body weight were both significantly correlated with FAZ area, foveal VD, and fovea inner retinal thickness. Multivariable analysis showed that thicker inner retinal thickness and higher superficial vascular density were associated with suboptimal visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

By using OCT-A, we identified significant foveal microvascular anomalies in ROP children. The correlation between the microvascular anomalies, central foveal thickness, and suboptimal visual acuity was also noted. Because of the retrospective nature, more studies are necessary to further establish the relationship.