Contribution of optical coherence tomography angiography OCT-A in diabetic maculopathy

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) increases the risk of blindness by 25 times. Advanced researchs are justified for better management, leading to the role of Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography (OCT-A), a new non-invasive imaging technique exploring retinal vascularization. Our purpose is to identify microvascular macular anomalies of DR on OCT-A with qualitative and quantitative evaluation of their impact on retinal vascularization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where 120 eyes of 66 diabetic patients were enrolled. All patients were diabetic and went through OCT-A imaging. RESULTS: Microanevrysms were identified in both superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) where they were more frequently visualized. Macular edema was present in 16,7% of cases in the SCP, and in 30% in DCP. Edema spaces were more frequently present in DCP (p < 0,05). Capillary nonperfusion areas were identified in 82,5% of cases in SCP and in 60% of cases in DCP. The main peri-foveal vascular density was 18,95 ± 5,37%. The main surface of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the SCP was 462,52 μm(2) and was 555,04 ± 329,11 μm(2) in the DCP where it was larger. CONCLUSION: OCT-A is a modern imaging tool that could be used for the diagnosis and monitoring of DR as well as the understanding of its pathophysiology.