Investigation of Blood Supply to the Macular Region of the Retina in Chronic Myeloproliferative Diseases

Abstract

Chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD) are tumor diseases of hematopoietic tissue with increased proliferation of one or more lines of myelopoiesis. Quite often with this pathology there are find references to damage to the organ of vision. With CMPD changes in the composition of peripheral blood are observed, leading to changes in the rheology of blood and contributing to the deterioration of microcirculation of eye tissues. In addition, abnormal proliferation of hematopoietic cells and prolonged specific therapy weaken the body’s immune system, contributing to the development of systemic inflammation. These processes can lead to deterioration of blood supply to eye tissues, in particular in the macular region. Purpose. To evaluate vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep vascular plexuses of retina and the area of foveolar avascular zone (FAZ) using optical coherence tomography with angiography function (OCTA) in patients with CMPD. Patients and methods. The study included 25 patients with CMPD (50 eyes) and 20 volunteers (40 eyes), comparable in gender and age, without a history of hemoblastosis. All the examined patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological diagnostics, including OCTA. Results. According to the results, patients with CMPD revealed a significant decrease in VD in all sectors (except the foveolar zone) in both studied vascular plexuses, as well as a significant increase in area of FAZ compared to the control group. Conclusion. A decrease in VD in the vascular plexuses of the retina, as well as an increase in area of FAZ, are signs of deterioration of retinal blood supply and retinal ischemia. It is possible that these changes may lead to violations of blood rheology, as well as chronic systemic inflammation observed in patients with CMPD. Deterioration of blood flow and prolonged retinal hypoxia can contribute to serious visual impairment of patients. In this regard, patients with CMPD require more detailed monitoring, possibly with correction of the main treatment.