Analysis of Macular Vessel Density and Foveal Avascular Zone in Adults with Amblyopia

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To quantify and compare the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and the whole, parafoveal and foveal vessel density of superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in amblyopic eyes of adults and age-matched controls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 52 eyes from 34 subjects aged 18 to 45 years. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed to all participants and SCP, DCP and FAZ were evaluated. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 23 was used for data analysis.

Results: Eighteen of 34 subjects (52,9%) were amblyopic and 16 (47,1%) of them controlled. Mean subject age was 31.2 years in the amblyopia group and 28.3 years in the control group. The mean FAZ measurements were 0.28 ± 0.08 in amblyopic eyes, 0.29 ± 0.08 in fellow eyes and 0.3 ± 0.11 in control eyes. The whole, foveal and parafoveal vessel density of SCP in both 3x3-mm and 6x6-mm scans were not statistically different in amblyopic eyes, fellow eyes and control eyes. In 6x6-mm scans, the whole, and parafoveal vessel density of DCP were significantly lower in amblyopic eyes than controls. There was no statistically significant difference in 3x3-mm scans about DCP.

Conclusion: OCTA revealed lower vessel density in DCP of amblyopic eyes than fellow eyes and controls in adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Amblyopia
• optical coherence tomographic angiography
• macular vessel density
• foveal avascular zone
• deep capillary plexus

Acknowledgments

Statistical analysis was performed by Prin Statistical Data Analysis Service. Proofreading was supported by Gokhan Demirayak.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.