Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in preeclampsia

Abstract

Objectives To investigate vascular density analysis in the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), peripapillary vascular density analysis (PPCVD), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber thickness analysis (PPRNFL) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in pregnant women with preeclampsia and to compare the obtained values with healthy pregnant and nonpregnant healthy individuals. Methods A total of 98 pregnant women (55 had preeclampsia, 43 were healthy pregnant women) and 38 healthy nonpregnant women of reproductive age were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of pregnant women with preeclampsia, group 2 comprised healthy pregnant women without preeclampsia, and group 3 consisted of healthy women who were not pregnant. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including OCTA. Results Superficial foveal density (SFD) and deep foveal density (DFD) were lower in group 1 than in group 3 (p = 0.033, p = 0.041, respectively). Deep parafoveal density (DPD), deep temporal density (DTD), and deep superior density (DSD) values were lower in group 1 than in group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.001). PPRNFL superior and mean values were higher in group 1 and group 2 than in group 3 (p = 0.022, p = 0.029, respectively). The mean superior and inferior RPCVD values were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.001, p = 0.043, and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions In preeclampsia, OCTA shows changes in the microvascular structure of the retina, even without retinopathy findings on biomicroscopy examination.

Plane-Wave Ultrasound Doppler of the Eye in Preeclampsia

“…The seeming contradiction between our finding of decreased orbital and choroidal resistance with some reports of retinal vasoconstriction in PE might be addressed in future studies using ultrasound scanning in conjunction with OCT-A. Although OCT-A cannot at present measure flow dynamics, it has allowed demonstration of subtle structural changes in the retina 38 and choriocapillaris 39 in PE. Swept-source OCT-A is particularly adept in imaging and characterizing the choriocapillaris.…”

Evaluation of the Choroid in Women with Uncomplicated Pregnancy

“…28 We hypothesized that the retinal microvasculature adapts by vasodilation during pregnancy due to hematological, vascular, and endocrine changes. Ciloglu et al 27 found that retinal microvascular structure changed in pregnant women with preeclampsia compared with uncomplicated pregnant women and nonpregnant controls. Despite these reported changes in the retinal microvasculature in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia, our present study found that CC FD showed no significant difference in uncomplicated pregnancy women compared with age-matched controls.…”

Review of the ophthalmic symptoms of preeclampsia

“…Soon after its development, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to detect retinal and macular changes in preeclampsia [3,6]. The changes within the choroid are also important, and different techniques of OCT imaging provide detailed information about choroidal vascular and circulation changes.…”

“…The combination of OCT and angiography produced the OCTA technique, which non-invasively shows the fine vasculature of the retinal and the choroidal vessels. The latest technology provides information about the decreased density of the superficial and deeper retinal vessels [6].…”

“…It has also been shown with an OCTA series that ocular blood flow within the central retinal area of the choriocapillaris layer is decreased in preeclampsia [6]. To judge what is occurring in the peripheral retina is also important; at the moment, however, OCTA can detect changes only within 10.0 mm of the central retina.…”