Visualization of changes in the choriocapillaris, choroidal vessels, and retinal morphology after focal laser photocoagulation using OCT angiography

Abstract

PURPOSE. To utilize optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) to describe alterations in the retinal and choriocapillaris vasculature following remote laser photocoagulation. Lesions are classified on the basis of choriocapillaris alteration as evaluated on en face OCTA. METHODS. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzing 28 laser photocoagulation scars from 8 patients treated for diabetic macular edema. All eyes were analyzed using a combination of OCTA, en face and cross-sectional OCT, and fundus photography. Two masked readers scored images for alterations at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choroid, and choriocapillaris. Laser photocoagulation lesions were classified as deep if choriocapillaris alteration was present on OCTA; lesions were classified as superficial if no choriocapillaris alteration was present on OCTA. RESULTS. Optical coherence tomography angiography was found to be useful for evaluation of choriocapillaris alteration underlying regions of laser scarring. Of the 28 analyzed laser scars, 13 were classified as superficial and 15 were classified as deep. CONCLUSIONS. Optical coherence tomography angiography can be used to visualize choriocapillaris alterations associated with focal laser photocoagulation treatment.