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Optical coherence tomography angiography in healthy children: normative data and age–related changes in microvascular structure of the optic disk and macula

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine normative data and reference ranges according to age groups by measuring the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial capillary plexus vascular density (SCP-VD), deep capillary plexus vascular density (DVP-VD), radial peripapillary capillary plexus vessel density (RPC-VD), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (ppRNFL) in healthy children and to determine the age and sex-related changes of these values.

Methods

This prospective study included data from 370 eyes of 370 healthy children (202 girls, 168 boys) aged 7–18 years. Participants were divided into four groups according to their age. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) measurements were taken using AngioVue (Avanti; Optivue).

Results

No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of FAZ, SCP-VD, DCP-VD, RPC-VD, and ppRNFL thickness values according to the age groups (except the RPC-VD superior) (p > 0.05 for all). VDs in all deep parafoveal regions in groups 1 and 2 were higher in girls. While FAZ values were higher in girls in all age groups (statistically significant in groups 1, 3, and 4), ad SPD and DPD values were higher in boys in all age groups (statistically significant in group 1 and 2 for SPD, and group 1 and 3 for DPD).

Conclusions

We report normal reference ranges for macula and disk vessel density and ppRNFL parameters in healthy children aged 7–18 years using OCTA. These normative values could be useful in diagnosing retina and optic disk disease early in childhood.

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Acknowledgements

This work was done at University of Health Sciences Adana City Training and Research Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Opthalmology, University of Health Sciences Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey

    Tuğba Kurumoğlu İncekalan, Göksu Hande Naz Şimdivar & Emine Alyamaç Sukgen

  2. Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Health Sciences Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey

    Ümit Çelik

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey

    Ulaş Özdemir

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  1. Tuğba Kurumoğlu İncekalan
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Correspondence to Tuğba Kurumoğlu İncekalan.

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Kurumoğlu İncekalan, T., Naz Şimdivar, G.H., Çelik, Ü. et al. Optical coherence tomography angiography in healthy children: normative data and age–related changes in microvascular structure of the optic disk and macula. Int Ophthalmol 42, 2373–2383 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02236-2

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