J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2019 Nov;60(11):1050-1057. 10.3341/jkos.2019.60.11.1050.

Analysis of Choroidal Thickness and Vascular Density Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography after Laser Photocoagulation

• Song DH
• Park JM

• KMID: 2463355
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2019.60.11.1050

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the changes in choroidal thickness and superficial vascular density of the macula and optic disc using optical coherence tomography angiography after laser photocoagulation.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 25 eyes of diabetic retinopathy patients who underwent panretinal photocoagulation. The macula and optic disc were divided into nine areas, and the vascular density of each area was quantitatively measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. The changes in vascular density and choroidal thickness were analyzed before laser photocoagulation and at 1 week after, 1 month after, and 3 months after treatment.
RESULTS
In the panretinal photocoagulation group, the average vascular densities of the macula were 13.5 ± 3.6 mm⁻¹ before treatment, and 14.7 ± 3.1 mm⁻¹ after 1 week, 13.7 ± 2.6 mm⁻¹ after 1 month, and 12.8 ± 3.8 mm⁻¹ after 3 months of treatment. The average vascular densities of the optic disc were 14.7 ± 5.2 mm⁻¹ before treatment, and 14.1 ± 4.7 mm⁻¹ after 1 week, 14.8 ± 5.3 mm⁻¹ after 1 month, and 15.0 ± 4.7 mm⁻¹ after 3 months of treatment. The average subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were 327.5 ± 57.9 µm before treatment, and 334.4 ± 52.5 µm after 1 week, 291.2 ± 52.9 µm after 1 month, and 286.3 ± 44.4 µm after 3 months of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The vascular density of the macula increased temporarily after 1 week of treatment but decreased afterwards. The vascular density of the optic disc decreased after 1 week of laser treatment but increased over time. The subfoveal choroidal thickness increased after 1 week of laser treatment but decreased afterwards.

Keyword

Optical coherence tomography angiography; Panretinal photocoagulation; Vascular density

MeSH Terms

Angiography*
Choroid*
Diabetic Retinopathy
Humans
Light Coagulation*
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, Optical Coherence*

Figure

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  Figure 1 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid subfield was applied to macular (A) and papillary area (B). ‘1’ means center. ‘2’ means nasal inner. ‘3’ means superior inner. ‘4’ means temporal inner. ‘5’ means inferior inner. ‘6’ means nasal outer. ‘7’ means superior outer. ‘8’ means temporal outer. ‘9’ means inferior outer. OD = oculus dexter; OS = oculus sinister.

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  Figure 2 A case of panretinal photocoagulation in 71-year-old male. The superficial vascular density of macular area generally increased after 1 week but decreased afterwards.

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  Figure 3 A case of panretinal photocoagulation in 69-year-old-male. The superficial vascular density of papillary area generally decreased after 1 week but increased afterwards.

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  Figure 4 The calculated longitudinal changes of the average superficial vessel density of macular before and after panretinal photocoagulation. The vessel density of macular increased temporarily after 1 week but decreased afterwards.

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  Figure 5 The calculated longitudinal changes of the average superficial vessel density of optic disc before and after panretinal photocoagulation. The vessel density of optic disc decreased after 1 week laser treatment, but increased over the time.

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