Vessel density, retinal thickness, and choriocapillaris vascular flow in myopic eyes on OCT angiography

To investigate foveal avascular zone area, macular vascular density, choroidal thickness, and outer retina and choriocapillaris flow in myopic eyes by OCT angiography.

Automated macular maps and flow calculations were retrospectively evaluated in 42 myopic and in 40 control eyes.

Myopic eyes presented lower whole superficial vessel density (46.4 ± 4.9 vs. 51.6 ± 3.6%, P < 0.0001) and higher flow area in the outer retina (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 mm², P = 0.0012). Between the myopic and non-myopic eyes, no significant differences could be detected in the choriocapillaris perfusion area (1.9 ± 0.07 vs. 1.9 ± 0.05 mm², respectively; P = 0.55) and in the foveal avascular zone area (0.23 ± 0.1 vs. 0.26 ± 0.1 mm², respectively; P = 0.12). The spherical correction positively correlated with superficial vessel density and negatively correlated with outer retina perfusion (P ≤ 0.0021). The superficial vessel density and the local retinal thickness positively correlated at all macular locations (P < 0.005), especially in the foveal region (P < 0.0001).

Eyes with high myopia present reduced superficial vascular density and increased outer retina flow. Superficial vascular density and retinal thickness appear to be significantly correlated.