Evaluations of the radial peripapillary, macular and choriocapillaris microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the macular microvascular (MMV) architecture, radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network and choriocapillaris using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) without systemic comorbidities.

Methods The vessel densities (VDs) of the MMV, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, choriocapillaris flow areas (CCFAs), RPC VDs, and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters were measured by OCT-A. Retinal thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The SD-OCT and OCT-A measurements of 53 eyes of 30 SSc patients were compared with 61 eyes of 33 healthy controls.

Results In the MMV analysis, a decrease in the VDs of the superficial capillary plexus and an increase in the FAZ area, FAZ perimeter and non-flow area were detected in the SSc group compared to the controls (P = 0.007, P = 0.001, P = 0.029, P = 0.018, and P = 0.039, respectively). While there was a decrease in SFCT, no change was found in CCFA (P = 0.001 and P = 0.902, respectively). The RPC analysis revealed a decrease in the VDs of all vessels for the entire area and the intradisc area, as well as the VDs of the small vessels for the intradisc area (P = 0.021, P = 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). In the ONH analysis, there was an increase in the C/D area ratios and cup volumes, and a decrease in the rim areas and nasal quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.004, P = 0.004, P = 0.013, and P = 0.032, respectively).

Conclusion Decreases in RPC and MMV VDs and changes in ONH parameters were found in OCT-A measurements in patients with SSc.