Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of microvascular abnormalities and vessel density in treatment-naïve eyes with diabetic macular edema

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural retinal vascular integrity using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in treatment-naïve eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to compare it with findings in diabetic eyes without DME. METHODS: In this prospective study, 70 eyes with diabetic retinopathy were included (37 eyes with DME and 33 eyes without DME). The medical records, including swept-source optical coherence tomography and 9 × 9 mm swept-source OCTA images were reviewed and compared between DME and non-DME groups. Microaneurysms, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA), areas of capillary non perfusion, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and capillary vascular density (CVD) were analyzed in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP). RESULTS: Compared to the non-DME eyes, DME eyes had more microaneurysms in the SCP and the DCP (p = 0,039 and p = 0,024 respectively), more IRMA in the SCP (p = 0,005), larger areas of capillary non perfusion in the SCP and the DCP (p = 0,026 and p = 0,02 respectively) and larger FAZ in both plexuses (p = 0,048 in the SCP and p = 0,012 in the DCP). The CVD in the DCP was lower in DME eyes compared to non-DME eyes (p = 0,007). The severity of DME was significantly correlated to the number of microaneurysms and to the FAZ surface. Central macular thickness was significantly correlated with the number of microaneurysms in the DCP, the surface of capillary non perfusion areas and the FAZ area in both plexuses. CONCLUSIONS: OCTA with a 9 × 9 mm field of view showed that the retinal vascular integrity regarding the number of microaneurysms, the number of IRMA, the surface of capillary non perfusion areas, the FAZ area and the CVD, was significantly more impaired in DME eyes compared to diabetic eyes without DME. The DCP seemed to be more affected in diabetic eyes with and without DME than the SCP.