Morpho-Functional Evaluation of Full-Thickness Macular Holes by the Integration of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Microperimetry

J Clin Med. 2020 Jan 15;9(1):229. doi: 10.3390/jcm9010229.

Abstract

(1) Objective: To use optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and microperimetry (MP) to evaluate the correlation between retinal structure and function in patients with idiopathic, full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) (2) Methods: This prospective, observational study included 11 eyes of 10 patients with FTMHs evaluated before surgery using OCTA and MP. MP sensitivity maps were superimposed and registered on slabs corresponding to superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) on OCTA, and on the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the Henle fiber layer (HFL) complex in en face OCT. On these maps, mean retinal sensitivity was calculated at 2° and 4°, all centered on the FTMH. Cystic cavity extension was assessed on the slab corresponding to the OPL + HFL complex in en face OCT and DCP in OCTA using the Image J software (Version 1.49v; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA); (3) Results: Absolute scotomas were observed corresponding to the FTMH. Additionally, rings of relative scotoma in the perilesional area were detected and correlated to the cystic spaces on en face OCT and OCTA. There was a significant correlation between reduced retinal sensitivity at 2° and 4° diameters around the FTMH and the extension of cystic areas (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the extension of cystic cavities and BCVA (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Morpho-functional analysis of FTMH using OCTA and MP, and the correlation between vascular abnormalities and impaired retinal sensitivity, may provide new, useful information. This integrated evaluation of FTMH may be useful to determine the function-structure correlation before and after vitreoretinal surgery, in order to gain a better understanding of the functional consequences induced by the morphological alterations, assessing outcomes in a more objective way, and potentially adding new surgical prognostic factors.

Keywords: OCT Angiography; full-thickness macular hole; microperimetry.