In vivo detection of macrophage-like cells at the vitreoretinal interface in retinal diseases using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Retinal diseases represent a group of vision-threatening disorders with a complex pathogenesis that involves interactions among various cellular and molecular factors. Inflammation and immune cells play a pivotal role in the initiation, progression, and repair of retinal diseases. Recently, advancements in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) technology have enabled the in vivo detection of macrophage-like cells (MLCs) at the vitreoretinal interface and allowed for assessment of retinal inflammation, representing a landmark advancement for understanding the pathophysiology of retinal diseases, particularly regarding the role of MLCs. We review the role of MLCs at the vitreoretinal interface and discuss recent advances in OCTA technology for detecting MLCs across various retinal diseases, thus demonstrating new advances in inflammatory biomarkers for retinal diseases.