Anterior Segment Inflammation in Pediatric Uveitis Is Associated with Reduced Retinal Vascular Density as Quantified by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze the retinal capillary vascular density (VD) as quantified by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with pediatric uveitis.

Methods

OCTA images of 32 pediatric uveitis patients and 30 normal controls (NC) were obtained retrospectively. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, VDs in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), the central macular thickness (CMT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were analyzed and compared between active and quiescent uveitic eyes, contralateral eyes and NC eyes.

Results

Compared with NCs, the VDs in the SCP and DCP were significantly reduced in eyes with both active and quiescent pediatric uveitis (P < .05).The SFCT was increased significantly in the active group relative to the quiescent group and NC groups (P < .05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the FAZ and CMT (all P > .05).

Conclusions

Our quantitative OCTA findings suggest that the posterior segment is affected during anterior segment recurrence in patients with pediatric uveitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Optical coherence tomography angiography
• retinal microcirculation
• vessel density
• subfoveal choroidal thickness
• pediatric uveitis

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.