ABSTRACT
Introduction: We aimed to demonstrate the changes in optic nerve and retinal microvascular structures with Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients who had COVID-19 infection. Methods: Prospective study. Retina, choroid and optic nerve head microvascular flow and vascular densities of both groups were measured by OCTA. Results: OCTA measurements of 122 right eyes of a total of 122 patients, including 72 patients in the COVID-19 group and 50 patients in the control group, were included in the study. The Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP) Flow Area (FA);in the COVID-19 group was 1.42±0.23 mm2, in the control group was 1.50±0.15 mm2, Choriocapillary Plexus FA was 1.89±0.04 mm2 in the COVID-19 group, was 1.91±0.05 mm2 in the control group, and a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (respectively;p=0.03;p=0.02). DCP Whole Vascular density (VD) values were 56.76±4.16 % in the COVID-19 group, 58.28±3.88 % in the control group;difference between the values was statistically significant ( p=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of optic nerve head flow areas and other parameters examined according to quadrants. Conclusions: Results shows that the retinal microcirculation in subjects with mild disease is affected. Even if the disease is mild, patients may need to be followed up for retinal changes that may develop in the future.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 effects microvasculature in many tissues. This study investigated whether the choroidal structure is also affected. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 patients with COVID-19 and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. All participants' right eye measurements were examined. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used for imaging. Otherwise, two independent researchers used the Choroidal vascular index (CVI) for choroidal parameters calculation. RESULTS: Superior and deep flow values were lower in the COVID-19 group than in the control group, and vascular density (VD) values were lower in all regions in this group. Except for the superior mean VD, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.003). However, the COVID-19 group had significantly lower subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) measurements than the control group (p = 0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the groups in evaluating mean CVI values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive diagnostic tools such as OCTA and EDI-OCT can be used to monitor early changes in diseases affecting microvessels, such as from COVID-19.