Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Based Assessment of Macular Vessel Density in Eyes with Keratoconus: Case Control Study

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: To evaluate the retinal and choroidal microvascular flow measurements in the eyes with keratoconus by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compared with a healthy age-gender matched control group. Material and Methods: This is a prospective case-control study in which OCTA data of 30 keratoconus patients and 30 healthy, volunteers were analyzed. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) deep capillary plexus (DCP) and central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated and compared with healthy volunteers. Results: A statistically significant decrease was found in all parts of the SCP of patients with keratoconus compared to the control group. In the DCP layer, whole image (p=0.017), superior-hemi (p=0.46), inferior-hemi (p=0.021), perifoveal (p=0.013), perifoveal superior-hemi (p=0.024), perifoveal inferior (0.01), perifoveal temporal (0.03), perifoveal superior (p=0.013), perifoveal inferior (p=0.005) segments in the keratoconus group were found to be significantly lower than the healthy control group. There were no significant differences in FAZ area and CMT between the groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that subclinical anterior segment inflammation in keratoconus can affect the retinal vascular structure. OCTA may be a new clinical marker for evaluating disease activity in keratoconus.