Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the association between different stages of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and macular microvasculature in the elderly.MethodsSwept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, and color fundus images of 490 eyes without retinal pathologies of 322 participants aged ≥65 years were evaluated. PVD was classified using enhanced vitreous visualization mode as no apparent PVD (stage 0/1), vitreous adhesions at the fovea and optic disc (stage 2), adhesion at the optic disc (stage 3), or complete PVD (stage 4). Microvascular parameters, including foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and vessel density (VD), were analyzed for their associations with complete PVD. Additionally, the association between PVD and central retinal thickness (CRT) was also addressed.ResultsOverall, 80, 31, 31, and 349 eyes were categorized into stages 0/1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Using multivariate mixed-effects model, the mean superficial FAZ area was smaller in stage 4 compared with stages 0–3 (0.29 vs. 0.32 mm2; P = 0.014), and the mean superficial VD was lower in stage 4 compared with stages 0–3 (34.96% vs. 35.24%; P = 0.0089). However, PVD was not significantly associated with deep macular microvascular parameters or CRT.ConclusionsComplete PVD was associated with smaller FAZ area and lower VD in superficial macular microvasculature, while it was not associated with central retinal thickness.
Highlights
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is one of the most common physiological phenomena experienced by the middle-aged and elderly populations
Using multivariate mixed-effects model, the mean superficial foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area was smaller in stage 4 compared with stages 0–3 (0.29 vs. 0.32 mm2; P = 0.014), and the mean superficial vessel density (VD) was lower in stage 4 compared with stages 0–3 (34.96% vs. 35.24%; P = 0.0089)
Complete PVD was associated with smaller FAZ area and lower VD in superficial macular microvasculature, while it was not associated with central retinal thickness
Summary
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is one of the most common physiological phenomena experienced by the middle-aged and elderly populations. It manifests as vitreous gel liquefaction and weakened vitreoretinal adhesion[1]. Concerning the pathology that occurs at the vitreoretinal interface, discussing PVD is integral. It can be observed via slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect lenses in daily clinical practice. Recent advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT), especially swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) with enhanced vitreous visualization mode, have enabled detailed and precise evaluation of the vitreoretinal interface[7]
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