Retinal vascular metrics difference by comparison of two image acquisition modes using a novel OCT angiography prototype

PURPOSE: To assess the different impact of two enface OCTA image simultaneously acquired by means of a new prototype of Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (SD-OCTA) on quantitative retinal vascular metrics. METHODS: In this prospective observational cross-sectional study 28 healthy subjects were enrolled. Macular (3x3 mm) OCTA images were acquired for all participants using Solix Fullrange OCT (Optovue Inc, Freemont CA, USA). The main outcome measurements were: Perfusion density (PD), vessel length density (VLD), and vessel diameter index (VDI) of both superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) total flow-deficits area. Quantitative retinal vascular metrics were measured on binarized and skeletonized OCTA images by comparing not averaged and fast automated multiple averaged en face OCTA images. RESULTS: In both SCP and DCP, PD significantly increased (p = 0,005 and p = 0,030, respectively), and VLD significantly decreased (p<0,001 and p = 0,004, respectively), and VDI increased (p<0,001 and p = 0,068, respectively), and total CC flow deficits area significantly decreased (p<0,001) by averaging multiple OCTA images. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found a significant difference of quantitative retinal metrics by comparing two different image acquisition modes using a novel and fully automated averaging OCTA system in young healthy subjects.