Retinal optical coherence tomography angiography findings of acute anterior uveitis

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in retinal microvasculature in eyes with anterior uveitis (AU) using optical coherence tomography angiography.Methods: Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of super cial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), vessel density (VD) of SCP, DCP, and choriocapillaris, and central macular thickness (CMT) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were calculated from 34 healthy and 41 uveitic eyes. The parameters were compared between the two groups.Results: The deep FAZ was signi cantly lower in the eyes with AU during the attack than after recovery and the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). The VD in deep capillary plexus (DCP) in eyes with AU during the attack was signi cantly higher than the control group (p=0.048). The VD in the foveal sector of DCP in eyes with AU during the attack and after recovery was signi cantly higher than the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.031, respectively). There was no signi cant difference regarding CMT, CFT, VDs of each segment and each sector, and super cial and deep FAZ between eyes with rst uveitis attack and those with recurrent uveitis during the attack and after recovery (p>0.05). Conclusion:The results of this study show that there is a reduction in the FAZ and an increase in the VD of the DCP of the retina during active AU, and these ndings are reversible. Acute AU may affect the macular microvasculature, which is usually temporary, especially in the DCP.

Analysis of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Acute Anterior Uveitis among Children with HLA-B27-Positive Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

“…With OCT-A, an increase in vascular density was demonstrated in both the superficial and deep capillary plexus during the active phase of AAU, as well as a decrease in the area of the deep foveal avascular zone, although these changes resolved after the inflammation regressed. These studies emphasize the fact that regardless of anatomical location, uveitis can lead to microvascular changes [21]. Similarly, such changes can develop in the peripapillary area that features numerous vessels covering the entire retina.…”

“…The use of enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT) has shown that choroidal thickness increases during the active phase of the disease and then decreases in response to treatment [18,20]. Using OCT angiography (OCT-A), it is noted that inflammation involving the anterior segment of the eye also affects the macular microvasculature [21]. Pre-existing research regarding the pRNFL likewise indicates that the thickness of the pRNFL increases, but these analyses have included adults with different AAU etiologies, and the control group has often consisted of the other eye of the same patient [18,22,23].…”