Association of Microvasculature and Macular Sensitivity in Idiopathic Macular Epiretinal Membrane: Using OCT Angiography and Microperimetry

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between retinal capillary structure and macular function in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and microperimetry.Methods: This retrospective and observational study included 30 idiopathic ERM eyes of 30 consecutive patients. OCTA was performed to evaluate macular microvasculature including the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and foveal avascular zone. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and microperimetry were measured at baseline and 3 months after surgery. Associations between macular microvasculature and visual function were assessed.Results: Visual function including BCVA and macular sensitivity improved significantly at 3 months post-operatively (p < 0.001). At baseline, BCVA was positively correlated with foveal or parafoveal sensitivities and negatively correlated with central foveal thickness (p < 0.05). Pre-operative foveal sensitivity was significantly correlated with the vessel density of foveal or parafoveal superficial capillary plexus (p < 0.05). A multiple regression model revealed that pre-operative vessel density of foveal deep capillary plexus was an independent positive prognostic factor for post-operative BCVA (B = −0.020 ± 0.006, p = 0.006) and macular sensitivity (B = 0.200 ± 0.081, p = 0.027).Conclusion: Integrated evaluation of iERM by using OCTA and microperimetry shows an association between microvasculature and macular sensitivity. Pre-operative vessel density of foveal deep capillary plexus assessed by OCTA may be a potentially valuable prognostic factor for iERM surgery.

Trends in research related to ophthalmic microperimetry from 1992 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis and knowledge graph study

“…Ultrahigh-resolution imaging with adaptive optics-optical coherence tomography was also introduced into multimodal analysis along with microperimetry ( 23 ). After 2020, OCT angiography technology became widely used in conjunction with microperimetry ( 24 , 25 ). In retinitis pigmentosa, visual function and morphological changes were found to be associated with choriocapillaris defects but not with middle/large choroidal vascular defects ( 26 ).…”

Quantitative assessment of retinal microvascular remodeling in eyes that underwent idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery

“…These may be because of retinal microstructural restoration and vascular perfusion after resolving the force exerted by the ERM, followed by the improvement of cell function. Several researchers have shown improvement of MS and BCVA in eyes with iERM postoperatively ( Osada et al, 2020 ; Feng et al, 2021 ; Blautain et al, 2022 ). Consistent with these previous studies, visual acuity improved significantly and was associated with MS postoperatively in this study.…”

“…In contrast with automated perimetry, it demonstrates better reliability and retest-variability ( Pfau et al, 2021 ). Only a few studies have combined OCTA with microperimetry to evaluate retinal changes in eyes with iERM ( Feng et al, 2021 ; D'Aloisio et al, 2021 ). Therefore, we aimed to explore the changes in retinal microvascular architecture and visual function in the macular region in iERM patients using OCTA images.…”

Effect of Intraorbital Mechanical Compression on Retinal Microvascular Perfusion in Quiescent Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Based on Ocular Biomechanics Measured by Corvis ST

“…Most studies agreed that retinal VD in patients with TAO was significantly lower than that in healthy people [ 2 – 6 ]. The degree of retinal VD change was related to the visual quality of the patient [ 7 ]. However, the reason for VD changes in TAO remained unclear.…”