OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DETECTING THE ALTERATIONS IN RETINAL MICROVASCULATURE IN SUBJECTS HAVING TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS WITH NORMAL FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy can be detected early to avoid progressive loss of eyesight. By measuring the movement of the erythrocytes in the retinal arteries, a three-dimensional picture of the capillary plexus may be created using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Aim: The objective is to assess how well optical coherence tomography angiography can identify changes in the retinal microvasculature in individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus who have normal fundus photography. Techniques: Fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and angiography were performed in the laser and diagnostic units on 96 eyes with 48 cases of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in order to evaluate alterations in the retinal vasculature.

Results: Deep plexus and superficial plexus parafoveal measures showed a significant difference (p<0.001) between participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus and controls. With a deep plexus of 56.2±4.5—a substantially lower value with p<0.001—than those with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the perifoveal parameters were significantly greater in the control group (60.2±2.4). With a p-value of 0.54, the FAZ perimeter was comparable in patients and controls. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus was 0.23±0.09 mm2 (p=0.85), whereas in controls it was non-significantly greater at 0.25±0.12 mm2

Conclusion: The current investigation shows that, prior to the disease's clinical manifestation on the fundus, there is a discernible difference between the microvasculature of healthy individuals and those with type 1 diabetes mellitus. A technology that shows promise for the early identification and treatment of eye problems in diabetics is optical coherence tomography angiography.