Projection-resolved OCT angiography of microvascular changes in paracentral acute middle maculopathy and acute macular neuroretinopathy

Abstract

PURPOSE. To identify the microvascular changes associated with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) and acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) and to improve our understanding of the relevant involvement of the three retinal capillary plexuses using projection-resolved optical coherence tomography angiography (PR-OCTA). METHODS. This was a retrospective study of 18 eyes with AMN or PAMM imaged with OCTA. We used cross-sectional PR-OCTA to localize reduced flow signal to the superficial (SCP), middle (MCP), or deep capillary plexus (DCP) or choriocapillaris that corresponded to inner retinal PAMM or outer retinal AMN lesions on OCT. RESULTS. Five eyes with AMN showed outer retinal disruption on OCT associated with reduced DCP flow signal. All three eyes with AMN and follow-up had recovery of DCP flow. Thirteen eyes with PAMM showed middle retinal disruption on OCT associated with reduced flow signal in both the MCP and DCP. Of these, five also had reduced flow signal in the SCP. All 10 eyes with PAMM and follow-up showed variable recovery of flow signal in one or more plexuses. PAMM reperfusion was primarily arterial in nature. Three eyes with PAMM and no evidence of MCP reperfusion experienced severe thinning of the inner nuclear layer (INL), while seven eyes with robust MCP flow signal recovery showed relative preservation of INL thickness. CONCLUSIONS. Using PR-OCTA, we found that AMN was associated with reduced DCP flow signal, while PAMM was associated with reduced MCP and DCP flow signal and occasionally the SCP. The MCP appears to be important in sustaining INL thickness in these eyes.