Retinal microvascular alterations in macular telangiectasia type 2: An optical coherence tomography angiography study

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to analyze retinal changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in Macular Telangiectasia type-2 (MacTel-2).

Methods

This retrospective study included 65 MacTel-2 patients (122 eyes) and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (122 eyes). All participants had complete examination notes with fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and OCTA. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, vascular densities (VDs), and retinal thicknesses (RT) of MacTel-2 patients were compared with healthy eyes.

Results

Acircularity index (AI) and the FAZ perimeter were significantly higher in the MacTel-2 group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.04). There was a positive correlation between AI and logMAR (r = 0.287, p = 0.001). VDs in the foveal and perifoveal temporal quadrants of the superficial capillary plexus were lower in the MacTel-2 group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.021). VDs in the foveal and all parafoveal regions of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) were also decreased compared with the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, the mean RT in the fovea and all parafoveal regions was significantly lower in MacTel-2 patients compared to controls (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

Vascular density changes in MacTel-2 is seen more frequently in the DCP. Additionally, acircularity index showed a steady worsening with disease progression, suggesting its potential use as a marker.