Retinal microvascular findings in β-thalassemia patients: An optical coherence tomography angiography study

Author: Inès Fendouli (Tunisia)

Co-authors: Rahma Saidane, Racem Choura, Asma Khallouli, Dhouha Gouider, Afef Maalej, Riadh Rannen

Purpose

To assess retinal microvascular changes in β-thalassemia major patients as shown in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A).

Setting/Venue

Department of Ophthalmology of the Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia.

Methods

Ten patients with β-thalassemia major and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a history taken and a comprehensive ocular examination. OCT-A scans and metrics were performed using AngioVue software of the Optovue RTVue XR Avanti. Data included 6 mm × 6 mm sections with measurement of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), non-flow area and vessel densities (VD) in both superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexus.

Results

The mean age was 12.8 ± 4.2 years (range: 6-19 years) in β-thalassemia major group and 13.5 ± 3.5 years (range: 7-20 years) in the control group. The mean foveal avascular zone value was 0.264 ± 0.11 mm2 in the study group and 0.295 ± 0.13 mm2 in the control group. The mean non-flow area value was 0.464 ± 0.12 mm2 in the study group and 0.478 ± 0.13 mm2 in the control group. The mean whole VD SCP was 52.65 %±2.10 in the study group and 52.70 % ±2.08 in the control group. The mean whole VD DCP was 54.42%±5.70 in the study group and 55.44%±5.57 in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between groups with regard to the FAZ and non-flow area (p=0.12 and p=0.45 respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of SCP densities (p=0.64). However, there was a statistically significant difference in DCP VDs between the two groups (p=0.04).

Conlusions

By using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, subclinical retinal anomalies can be detected. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed.

Financial Disclosure

The authors declare no conflict of interest.