Evaluation and comparison of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in normal and moderate myopic individuals

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) parameters in patients with moderate myopia and healthy individuals retrospectively. Methods: A total of 80 male individuals aged 18-20 years were included in the study with 40 moderate myopic and 40 healthy persons. All participants underwent detailed ocular examination including refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, biomicroscopy, OCTA measurement and optic biometry measurement. Retinal, retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal layer thicknesses were evaluated in mu m with the help of the software available in the OCTA device. Results: The mean axial length (24.32 +/- 0.53 mm) was statistically significantly higher in the moderate myopic group (24.32 mm) compared to the healthy group (23.33 +/- 0.61 mm) (p < 0.001). Spherical equivalent (SE) was found as -3.79 +/- 0.91 D in the moderate myopic group and -0.22 +/- 0.32 D in the healthy group (p < 0.05). The mean superficial foveal mean density (FovSupMVD) and the mean deep foveal mean density (FovDepMVD) were statistically significantly lower in the moderate myopic group than in the healthy group (both, p < 0.001). The mean retinal temporal thickness (RTt) was statistically significantly lower in the moderate myopic group (p = 0.017). There was a mild negative correlation between axial length and FovSupMVD, FovDepMVD in myopes. In axial length ROC analysis, the cutoff value for moderate myopes was found to be 24.15 mm. Mean superficial foveal mean density (FovSupMVD) and mean deep foveal mean density (FovDepMVD), mean retinal temporal thickness (RTt) were significantly lower in the group above 24.15 mm axial length compared to the group below 24.15 mm axial length (all three, p < 0.001). Foveal avascular zone was significantly higher in the group above 24.15 mm axial length (p = 0.016) Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that the mean axial length and spherical equivalent were significantly higher, while retinal temporal thickness, the mean superficial foveal mean density and the mean deep foveal mean density were significantly lower in patients with myopia up to -6.0 D compared to the healthy individuals.