Evaluation of macular microvascular structure with optical coherence tomography angiography in children with history of treatment for retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose To compare macula vascular parameters in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of children with history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who were treated with laser photocoagulation (LPC) or intravitreal Bevacizumab therapy. Methods Forty eyes of 28 ROP children treated with LPC and 36 eyes of 22 ROP children treated with intravitreal Bevacizumab and 40 eyes of 40 age-gender matched term children were included the study. Capillary plexus densities in macula, FAZ parameters, outer retina and choriocapillaris flow rates, and central foveal thickness were measured. Results Foveal superficial and deep capillary plexus densities were found significantly higher in LPC and intravitreal Bevacizumab injection (IBI) groups compared to control group. FAZ area was found significantly lower in LPC and IBI groups compared to control group (p < 0.001). Higher foveal superficial capillary plexus density, higher central foveal thickness, and lower FAZ area were found to be associated with poorer visual acuity in correlation analysis (p < 0.05). In IBI group, earlier anti-VEGF therapy was found to be associated with lower foveal superficial capillary plexus density. Conclusion Microvascular characteristics such as FAZ area and capillary plexus densities of macula are deteriorated in ROP. There is no significant difference between the treatment alternatives of ROP in terms of macular microvascular parameters.