Retinal Capillary Network in Fellow Eyes with Unilateral Vein Occlusion Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and the perifoveolar retinal capillary network between fellow eyes with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and healthy control eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study including 38 patients diagnosed with unilateral BRVO and 37 control subjects. We investigated the thicknesses of the GCIPL layer using OCT, also the vascular density (VD), perfusion density (PD), area and perimeter of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) using the OCTA. Results: Patients with unilateral BRVO had a higher incidence of hypertension. In the fellow eyes of the unilateral BRVO patients, the area and perimeter of the FAZ were wider and longer than for the control eyes. There was no significant difference in the GCIPL thickness, VD and PD between the two groups. Conclusions: There is no significant change in the thickness of GCIPL between 2 groups, the fellow eyes of the unilateral BRVO patients have the larger area and longer perimeter of the FAZ instead. This means macular ischemia in the follow eye when the BRVO existed. Therefore, ischemic diseases should be carefully monitored in the fellow eyes of unilateral BRVO patients.