Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiographic Study in Children with a History of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Purpose: to assess the changes in the macular structure in children with history of prematurity and to find the relationship between retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment and macular ultrastructural changes found in optical coherence tomography angiography study.

Methods: a search for identifying relevant studies published in English using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from the date of inception to 21 October 2022 was conducted. Studies were included if their subjects were >5 years and used Optovue device for imaging. Twelve studies were included for final analysis. After extracting data, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in the foveal and parafoveal area, central foveal thickness (CFT), and visual acuity (VA) were compared between the study groups.

Results: in individual who were born full term the FAZ was significantly larger. The SCP and DCP VD was significantly higher in children with history of ROP treatment. Superficial parafoveal VD was significantly lower in term children than both treated groups. The CFT was significantly higher in children with history of ROP (treated and untreated) than the terms. VA was lower in laser and IVI treated children than terms and it was related to the changes in CFT, foveal superficial and deep VD and FAZ area.

Conclusions: Patients with a history of ROP treatment have a significantly greater CFT, higher VD of foveal SCP and DCP, and lower VA than the term-born children. Furthermore, the FAZ is negatively associated with VA and CFT.