Find in Library
Search millions of books, articles, and more
Indexed Open Access Databases
Superficial and Deep Capillary Plexuses: Potential Biomarkers of Focal Retinal Defects in Eyes Affected by Macular Idiopatic Epiretinal Membranes? A Pilot Study
oleh: Andrea Maria Coppe, Giuliana Lapucci, Luca Buzzonetti, Guido Ripandelli, Giancarlo Iarossi
Format: | Article |
---|---|
Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2022-12-01 |
Deskripsi
Inner macular layers are the most involved in the retinal distortion caused by idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). They represent the anatomical structures in which the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexus are embedded. We quantified flow signal (FS) in these capillary plexuses using Swept Source OCT angiography to identify possible markers for postoperative outcome. The software ImageJ was used to quantify the FS in a 150 µm radius area around each point analyzed by MAIA microperimeter. In 16 patients with unilateral iERM, focal light sensitivity (FLS) in the para- and perimacular areas was measured to evaluate macular function in 24 points overlapping macular plexuses and compared with normal fellow eyes (FEs). <i>t</i>-Test for independent samples iERM eyes (iERMEs) vs. fellow eyes (FEs) and Pearson correlation coefficient of FS vs. FLS in each point were calculated. A level of <i>p</i> < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. As a whole, FLS was significantly higher in FEs vs. ERMEs (<i>p</i> < 0.001); FS in both SCP and DCP was not significantly different between ERMEs and FEs (<i>p</i> = 0.827, <i>p</i> = 0.791). Correlation in focal retinal areas between FLS and FS in ERMEs was significant in SCP (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and not significant in DCP (<i>p</i> = 0.205); in FEs was significant in both SCP (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and DCP (<i>p</i> = 0.022). As previously described, these defective areas were located mainly in sites of distortion of retinal layers; therefore, it can be hypothesized that a focal change in FS, occurring mostly in SCP, could be involved in the onset of the functional defect.