Association of foveal avascular zone with the metamorphopsia in epiretinal membrane

Abstract

This study was to investigate the relationship between the metamorphopsia and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameter in eyes with epiratinal membrane (ERM). We studied patients with an ERM visited retinal service unit at the Kagoshima University Hospital or Shirai Hospital. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the degree of metamorphopsia by M -CHARTS™ were evaluated. The 3 × 3 mm optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images of the superficial layer were obtained. Area (mm2), the circularity, eigen value were calculated using ImageJ software. The relationship between visual function, such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and metamorphopsia, and FAZ parameters were studied by Pearson’s correlational coefficient. Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients (24 men and 27 women) with an ERM were studied. The mean age of the patients was 69.6 ± 8.20 years. The mean BCVA and metamorphopsia score was 0.31 ± 0.29 logMAR units and 0.49 ± 0.42. There was no significant relationship between BCVA and FAZ parameters. While, metamorphopsia score was significantly and negatively correlated with all of FAZ parameters (area R = − 0.491, P < 0.001; circularity R = − 0.385, P = 0.004; eigenvalue ratio R = − 0.341; P = 0.012). Multiple regression analysis showed the FAZ area was solely and significantly correlated with metamorphopsia score (β − 0.479, P < 0.001). The size but not the shape of the FAZ was significantly correlated with the degree of metamorphopsia suggesting that it could be an objective parameter of metamorphopsia in ERM patients.

Association Between Retinal Artery Angle and Visual Function in Eyes With Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

“…Shiihara and colleagues assessed the shape of the FAZ in addition to the area of the FAZ in ERM eyes. 19 Interestingly, they reported that 68.5% of ERM eyes had a horizontally long-shaped FAZ, whereas 31.5% had a vertically long-shaped FAZ, supporting our current results.…”

“… 8 More recently, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), measured with OCT angiography, was reportedly correlated with metamorphopsia in ERM. 19 In the current study, the two-dimensional parameter, YCA, was associated with visual function. In the present study, the YCA was not compared with OCT parameters, such as INL thickness, retinal fold depth, and FAZ, but a significant merit of the current approach is that visual function can be predicted using the retinal artery angle, which can be easily obtained using only UWF imaging.…”

Influence of postoperative ectopic inner foveal layer on visual function after removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane

“…The presence of EIFL in eyes with ERM was associated with worse visual acuity, and the thickness of EIFL was negatively correlated with visual acuity [ 7 , 14 ]. More recent studies have shown that the EIFL grading scheme showed a good correlation not only with BCVA or CMT but also with other functional and anatomical parameters such as metamorphopsia and FAZ parameters [ 15 , 16 ], which was in agreement with the present study.…”

Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane: Microvasculature Analysis with Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

“…Additionally, the final effect of the operation depends on changes of the foveal vasculature, which disperses the light before it reaches the photoreceptor cells [ 18 ]. Measurement of FAZ area in patients with ERM is paramount, because the degree of metamorphopsia is significantly correlated with the area of FAZ in these patients [ 19 ]. The morphology, structure, and area of FAZ are predictive factors for the requirement of retinal membrane surgery [ 20 ].…”

“…Additionally, the final effect of the operation depends on changes of the foveal vasculature, which disperses the light before it reaches the photoreceptor cells [18]. Measurement of FAZ area in patients with ERM is paramount, because the degree of metamorphopsia is significantly correlated with the area of FAZ in these patients [19]. The morphology, structure, and area of FAZ are predictive factors forthe requirement of retinal membrane surgery [20].The present study confirmed the association between FAZ In the control group, there was a statistically significant Spearman correlation for the variables age and quality macula (r = −0.404); in the ERM group, this correlation is much smaller and insignificant (r = −0.04).…”