Impact of preocular and ocular circulatory dynamics on the vascular density of retinal capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris

Abstract Purpose To highlight the influence of preocular and ocular vascular circulatory dynamics on the vascular density (VD) of retinal capillary plexuses (RCPs) and choriocapillaris (CC) in patients with and without cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Methods A retrospective observational study in patients with and without CVR factors (type 1 and 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia). Fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine (ICGA) angiography circulatory times were arterial time (FA AT ), start (FA startLF ) and end (FA endLF ) of laminar flow, and arterial time (ICGA AT ), respectively. OCT angiography VDs were superficial (VD SCP ) and deep (VD DCP ) RCPs and CC (VD CC ) VDs. Correlation and regression analysis were performed after adjusting for confounding factors. Results 177 eyes of 177 patients (mean age: 65.2 ± 15.9 years, n = 92 with and 85 without CVR) were included. VD SCP and VD DCP were significantly inversely correlated with FA AT , FA startLF and FA endLF likewise VD CC with ICGA AT . Correlations were stronger in patients without CVR than with CVR. CVR, FA AT , FA startLF and FA endLF were more strongly correlated with VD DCP than VD SCP . FA AT , FA startLF and FA endLF significantly impacted VD SCP and VD DCP , likewise ICGA AT impacted VD DCP . VD DCP was most strongly impacted by FA AT and FA startLF . Conclusion Ocular and pre-ocular circulatory dynamics significantly impacted RCPs and CC VDs, especially deep RCP.