J Retin.  2023 May;8(1):42-50. 10.21561/jor.2023.8.1.42.

Macular Vessel Density Analysis Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography before and after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Jun TH
• Seo BG
• Moon JW

• KMID: 2552119
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21561/jor.2023.8.1.42

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate macular vessel density (VD) change and its correlation with prognosis based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) before and after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with macular edema.
Methods
We retrospectively examined 32 eyes of 32 patients who were followed for more than 12 months after intravitreal bevacizumab injection due to BRVO with macular edema. Follow-up was performed at 1-month intervals, and additional injections were performed if necessary. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured before and 12 months after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Using OCTA, the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and macular VD were measured before and 12 months after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. The correlation between change in macular VD and number of injections was analyzed.
Results
The BCVA and CRT improved 12months after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (p = 0.019, p = 0.017, respectively), and FAZ area showed a decrease after 12 months (p = 0.023). The parafoveal deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD and affected macular VD were significantly increased (p = 0.032, p = 0.012). The mean number of injections was 3.20 ± 1.92, and the larger was the decrease in macular DCP VD, the lower was the number of injections (β = -0.524, p = 0.015).
Conclusions
OCTA was able to quantitatively measure changes in macular vasculature in BRVO patients with macular edema. The VD in DCP significantly increased after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, and the larger was its decrease, the lower was the likelihood of recurrence of macular edema.

Keyword

Bevacizumab; Branch retinal vein occlusion; Deep capillary plexus; Macular vessel density; Macular vessel density