Macular Microvasculature in High Myopia without Pathologic Changes: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study
Chan Hong Min, Heba M. Al-Qattan, Joo Yong Lee, June-Gone Kim, Young Hee Yoon, Yoon Jeon Kim
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate macular microvasculature changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and analyze their correlation with the structural parameters in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: We measured the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and the parafoveal vessel density in the superficial and deep retinal plexuses using OCTA. The magnification effect of the FAZ area was corrected using Bennett's formula. Retinal thickness measured at each corresponding area of the OCTA parameters, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and ocular characteristics were reviewed, and the relationships between the microvasculature measurements and the ocular structural characteristics were explored. RESULTS: < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The FAZ was enlarged and the parafoveal vascular density was reduced in the highly myopic eyes. The decrease was prominent in the superficial capillary plexuses and well-correlated with the retinal thickness profiles. The macular microvascular network alteration may be attributed to the ocular axial elongation that occurs with myopia.