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Abstract

Purpose To measure the density of the superficial retinal small vessel network (SRSVN), superficial retinal capillary network (SRCN), deep retinal capillary network (DRCN), and choriocapillaris and the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the superficial retinal layer in normal eyes. Design Prospective observational cross-sectional study. Methods In healthy Chinese volunteers, the retinal and choroidal vasculature was visualized by split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography–associated optical coherence tomography (RTVueXR Avanti device; Optovue Inc, Fremont, California, USA). Results Among 105 healthy participants (age: 35.9 ± 13.8 years) mean FAZ measured 0.35 ± 0.12 mm 2 , and mean density of SRSVN, SRCN, DRCN, and choriocapillaris was 8.54% ± 0.92%, 31.8% ± 2.6%, 45.8% ± 3.3%, 44.4% ± 3.3%, and 44.5% ± 2.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher SRSVN density was associated with younger age ( P = .001; standardized regression coefficient β: −0.28), male sex ( P = .008; β: −0.23), lower SRCN density ( P P = .001; β: 0.30). Higher SRCN density was correlated with male sex ( P = .007; β: −0.19), lower SRSVN density ( P P = .004; β: 0.20). Higher DRCN density was correlated with younger age ( P P = .002; β: 0.22), higher SRCN density ( P P P P = .005; β: −0.26). All retinal vascular parameters were not significantly correlated with axial length or subfoveal choroidal thickness. Conclusions The density of the macular vascular networks decreases with older age and is independent of axial length and subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy individuals.