Evaluation of Foveal Avascular Zone in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy without Maculopathy Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Abstract

he foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is the capillary-free area in the central macula. Various methods including histology, immunohistochemistry, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have been used to evaluate the retinal vasculature. OCTA is a novel technique that is used to visualize the retinal microvasculature without dye injection. Thus, the FAZ area can be clearly assessed without the concern of any dye leakage. Current study aimed to evaluate dimensions of foveal a vascular zone at level of superficial and deep capillary plexuses in patients with different grades of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy without maculopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography and to correlate these changes with the best corrected visual acuity, glycemic control of the patients and retinal neuro degenerative changes.