Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (2): 80-86.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2024.680

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Assessment of fundus microcirculation changes in diabetic retinopathy using UWFSS-OCTA

ZHAO Juan1, JIAO Wanzhen2, ZHAO Bojun2   

  1. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, Shandong, China2. Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, Shandong, China
  • Published:2026-03-26

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Abstract: Objective To investigate changes in retinal and choroidal blood flow density in diabetic retinopathy(DR)of varying severity using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWFSS-OCTA). Methods A total of 159 individuals(263 eyes)recruited from Shandong Provincial Hospital were included. Based on DR staging, patients were categorized into the non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR)group(69 eyes), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group(54 eyes), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)group(72eyes). Age-matched healthy controls comprised 68 eyes.Using UWFSS-OCTA to scan fundus images within a 26 mm×21 mm field, the macula was centered and divided into concentric rings of 1-6 mm, 6-15 mm, and 15-21 mm(upper, lower, nasal, and temporal). Measurements were taken for the superficial capillary plexus(SCP), deep capillary plexus(DCP), choroidal thickness(CT), and choroidal perfusion area(CPA). The relationship between retinal vascular density, best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA; expressed as LogMAR), and diabetes duration were analyzed. Results Compared with other groups, the PDR group exhibited reduced SCP and DCP, while the NPDR group showed lower values in certain regions relative to the control group. Both PDR and NPDR groups demonstrated lower CT values than the control group in some regions, with the PDR group also showing lower values than both the control and NDR groups in certain areas. Choroidal blood flow analysis revealed that the PDR group had lower CPA in multiple regions compared to other groups. Diabetes duration was negatively correlated with DCP in some regions and positively correlated with BCVA(LogMAR). Conclusion UWFSS-OCTA clearly demonstrates microcirculatory damage at different stages of diabetic retinopathy, providing crucial technical support for clinical diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Key words: Diabetic retinopathy, UWFSS-OCTA, Retinal vessels, Blood flow density, Choroidal thickness

CLC Number: 

  • R774.1
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