Foveal avascular zone area measurements using OCT angiography in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with essential hypertension

Objective. This study followed the variability in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. Material and Methods. This prospective, non-randomized, cohort study evaluated 46 eyes in 26 patients with high blood pressure associated with diabetic non-proliferative retinopathy (mild, medium, and severe forms) and diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Results. Our results showed early macular alterations (microaneurysms, leakage, neovascularizations, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities), a higher class of severity despite a relatively normal clinical aspect and higher values of FAZ associated with neovascularization undetected by SD-OCT (spectral domain-OCT). Conclusion. Measurement of the foveal avascular zone area using OCTA early detects macular alterations that precede classical retinography and SD-OCT determinations. Abbreviations: FAZ = foveal avascular zone; OCTA = optical coherence tomography angiography; IRMA = intraretinal microvascular abnormalities; SD-OCT = spectral domain-optical coherence tomography; OU = both eyes; PD = papillary diameter; ETDRS = early treatment diabetic retinopathy study; BP = blood pressure; OD = right eye