Cross-sectional study on the association between retinal microcirculation changes based on optical coherence tomography angiography and mild cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between retinal microcirculation changes, assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to determine whether retinal microcirculation changes can serve as a potential biomarker for MCI in these patients.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients with T2DM who visited Hefei Aier Eye Hospital between April 2023 and December 2024 were selected. Retinal microcirculation indicators, including the perfusion density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the perfusion density of the deep capillary plexus (DCP), the central foveal thickness (CMT) and the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), were evaluated using OCTA. The cognitive function of the patients was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The association between retinal microcirculation indicators and MCI was explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The perfusion density of SCP and DCP in all patients was lower than the normal value. Patients with CMT outside the normal range accounted for 73%, and those with FAZ outside the normal range accounted for 23%. No significant correlation was found between individual retinal microcirculation indicators and MCI. However, a significant association was observed when the four indicators were combined (p < 0.001), indicating that retinal microcirculation changes based on OCTA are significantly correlated with MCI in patients with T2DM.

CONCLUSION

Retinal microcirculation changes based on OCTA are significantly associated with MCI in patients with T2DM, suggesting that retinal microcirculation indicators may serve as potential biomarkers for MCI in these patients.