Macular and peripapillary vessel density in myopic eyes of young Chinese adults

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the macular and peripapillary vessel densities in eyes of young Chinese adults with different degrees of myopia and to evaluate the association of macular and peripapillary vessel densities with axial length and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness.

Methods

A total of 128 eyes (mild myopia, 42; moderate myopia, 45; severe myopia, 41) underwent optical coherence tomography angiography imaging. Parameters assessed were vessel densities in the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus of the macular area, peripapillary vessel density, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, foveal thickness and foveal avascular zone area (mm²).

Results

Vessel densities in the macular and peripapillary areas as well as peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness decreased significantly when comparing high myopia to mild myopia. Axial length was significantly associated with vessel density in the macular area (superficial capillary plexus: r = −0.249, p = 0.008; deep capillary plexus: r = −0.398, p < 0.001), peripapillary area (r = −0.204, p = 0.028), foveal avascular zone area (r = −0.309, p < 0.001), and foveal thickness (r = 0.354, p < 0.001). Negative correlations were found between axial length and peripapillary vessel density as well as retinal nerve fibre layer thickness at the nasal superior, nasal inferior and inferior nasal quadrants.

Conclusion

Varying degrees of myopia affected macular and peripapillary vessel densities as well as retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in young healthy adults. The high myopic group had the lowest vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus of the macular area and the peripapillary area. With increased axial length, macular and peripapillary vessel densities, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and foveal avascular zone area reduced while foveal thickness increased.

Key words:

• axial length
• myopia
• optical coherence tomography angiography
• retinal nerve fibre layer
• vessel density

Dawei Yang and Dan Cao contributed equally to this work.

Dawei Yang and Dan Cao contributed equally to this work.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study was funded by the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program (Grant Numbers 201704020048 and 201607010343). The funding body had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

Notes

Dawei Yang and Dan Cao contributed equally to this work.

Additional information

Funding

Guangzhou Science and Technology Program