Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that disrupts the retinal microvasculature and is a leading cause of vision loss globally. Recently, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has been developed to image the retinal microvasculature, by generating 3-dimensional images based on the motion contrast of circulating blood cells. OCTA offers numerous benefits over traditional fluorescein angiography in visualizing the retinal vasculature in that it is non-invasive and safer; while its depth-resolved ability makes it possible to visualize the finer capillaries of the retinal capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris. High-quality OCTA images have also enabled the visualization of features associated with DR, including microaneurysms and neovascularization and the quantification of alterations in retinal capillary and choriocapillaris, thereby suggesting a promising role for OCTA as an objective technology for accurate DR classification. Of interest is the potential of OCTA to examine the effect of DR on individual retinal layers, and to detect DR even before it is clinically detectable on fundus examination. We will focus the review on the clinical applicability of OCTA derived quantitative metrics that appear to be clinically relevant to the diagnosis, classification, and management of patients with diabetes or DR. Future studies with longitudinal design of multiethnic multicenter populations, as well as the inclusion of pertinent systemic information that may affect vascular changes, will improve our understanding on the benefit of OCTA biomarkers in the detection and progression of DR.
Highlights
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important rising cause of blindness globally [1]
We will focus on the clinical applicability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA)-derived quantitative metrics that appear to be relevant to the clinical diagnosis, grading, and management of diabetes or DR
OCTA can display the capillary beds at distinct depths, separating the superficial and deep capillary plexuses as well as the choriocapillaris layer, which has increased our understanding of the microvascular changes in DR [69] (Figure 3)
Summary
The initial and follow-up evaluation of patients with diabetes has been based on dilated ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Emerging imaging technologies, such as OCT angiography (OCTA), may further improve the diagnosis and management of the disease and aid us with a better understanding of DR. OCTA is a relatively fast, non-invasive technique that can generate high-resolution images of the retinal microvasculature at distinct depths, allowing an improved delineation of vascular features seen in DR. We will focus on the clinical applicability of OCTA-derived quantitative metrics that appear to be relevant to the clinical diagnosis, grading, and management of diabetes or DR
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
