Impact of preocular and ocular circulatory dynamics on the vascular density of retinal capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris

To highlight the influence of preocular and ocular vascular circulatory dynamics on the vascular density (VD) of retinal capillary plexuses (RCPs) and choriocapillaris (CC) in patients with and without cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors.

A retrospective observational study in patients with and without CVR factors (type 1 and 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia). Fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine (ICGA) angiography circulatory times were arterial time (FA_AT), start (FA_startLF) and end (FA_endLF) of laminar flow, and arterial time (ICGA_AT), respectively. OCT angiography VDs were superficial (VD_SCP) and deep (VD_DCP) RCPs and CC (VD_CC) VDs. Correlation and regression analysis were performed after adjusting for confounding factors.

177 eyes of 177 patients (mean age: 65.2 ± 15.9 years, n = 92 with and 85 without CVR) were included. VD_SCP and VD_DCP were significantly inversely correlated with FA_AT, FA_startLF and FA_endLF likewise VD_CC with ICGA_AT. Correlations were stronger in patients without CVR than with CVR. CVR, FA_AT, FA_startLF and FA_endLF were more strongly correlated with VD_DCP than VD_SCP. FA_AT, FA_startLF and FA_endLF significantly impacted VD_SCP and VD_DCP, likewise ICGA_AT impacted VD_DCP. VD_DCP was most strongly impacted by FA_AT and FA_startLF.

Ocular and pre-ocular circulatory dynamics significantly impacted RCPs and CC VDs, especially deep RCP.