The vascular densities of the macula and optic disc in normal eyes from children by optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose This study aims to describe the variation and characteristics of vessel density (VD) of the macula and optic disc in the normal eyes of children. Methods This was a retrospective study where subjects aged 5-18 years with normal eyes were enrolled. The macula and optic disc were scanned by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The influences of age, gender, and axial length (AL) on VD were analyzed. Results A total of 71 normal eyes from 71 subjects were enrolled. For the macula, the mean VD of fovea, parafovea, and perifovea at superficial retina and deep retina were 20.1%, 50.2%, 49.4%, 36.1%, 53.9%, and 48.1%, respectively. The mean foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was 0.277 mm(2). For optic disc, the mean VD of radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) and inside-disc areas were 51.8% and 51.7%, respectively. Significant differences were found between the superior-hemi and inferior-hemi VD of the superficial retinal parafovea, deep retinal perifovea, and perifovea. The fovea VD of the superficial and deep retina and FAZ areas were different between genders. The inside-disc VD was positively correlated with AL, while other VDs had no significant correlation with age and AL. Conclusions The parafovea VD of the superficial retina, parafovea, and perifovea of the deep retina had superior-hemi VD; boys had a higher fovea VD and smaller FAZ area than those of girls, the macular VD and peripapillary RPC density were steady for 5-18 year-olds. This study provided useful information for furthering the understanding of the development mode of vessel in children and the OCTA clinical applications in children.