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Published in: International Ophthalmology 4/2021

01-04-2021 | Sleep Apnea | Original Paper

Evaluation of retinal vessel density and foveal avascular zone measurements in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Authors: Mustafa Çolak, Dilay Özek, Kürşat Murat Özcan, Fakih Cihat Eravcı, Süleyman Emre Karakurt, Mehmet Fatih Karakuş, Özlem Evren Kemer

Published in: International Ophthalmology | Issue 4/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

To compare retinal capillary plexus vessel densities, choroidal thickness, optic disc vessel densities and foveal avascular zone measurements between normal subjects and subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using spectral-domain OCT angiography (OCTA).

Methods

Forty eyes of patients with overall OSAS, 20 eyes of patients with mild-moderate OSAS, 20 eyes of patients with severe OSAS on polysomnography and 21 controls were evaluated with the RTVue-XR Avanti OCTA (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA). Superficial and deep retinal capillary plexus vessel densities, choroidal thickness and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters (area, diameter, acircularity index of the FAZ, foveal density-300) were measured for all subjects.

Results

Superficial capillary plexus vessel densities of the groups were similar. Deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel densities of all three OSAS groups decreased in the parafoveal region (< 0.001). In the perifoveal region, DCP vessel densities were decreased in the Overall OSAS group (p = 0.023) and in the Severe OSAS group (p = 0.021), whereas it was similar in the Mild-moderate OSAS group. Choroidal thickness decreased in all three OSAS groups (p < 0.001). All FAZ measurements and foveal density-300 measurements were similar compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that in severe OSAS patients, deep parafoveal, perifoveal vascular densities decrease and the choroid layer becomes thinner. When evaluating a patient with OSAS, it should be kept in mind that there may be eye involvement due to the disease.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of retinal vessel density and foveal avascular zone measurements in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors
Mustafa Çolak
Dilay Özek
Kürşat Murat Özcan
Fakih Cihat Eravcı
Süleyman Emre Karakurt
Mehmet Fatih Karakuş
Özlem Evren Kemer
Publication date
01-04-2021
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
International Ophthalmology / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0165-5701
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2630
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-020-01690-0

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