Evaluation of macular vessel density changes after strabismus surgery using optical coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE To compare retinal vessel density before and after strabismus surgery using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).METHODS In this longitudinal, single-arm pilot study, vascular density in the deep capillary plexus (DCP), superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP) and choriocapillaris layer (CCL) in consecutive subjects undergoing strabismus surgery was assessed using SS-OCTA preoperatively (T0), on the first day postoperatively (POD1), and 30 days postoperatively (POD30).RESULTS A total of 92 eyes of 56 patients (54% males) were included. Mean patient age was 41.1 +/- 22.7. OCT vascular density of the DCP was 50.20 +/- 5.57 at T0, 52.74 +/- 4.77 at POD1, and 50.92 +/- 4.58 at POD30. The differences were statistically significant for T0 versus POD1 (P < 0.05). Vascular density of the CCL was 50.72 +/- 4.80 at T0, 53.59 +/- 3.65 at POD1, and 51.39 +/- 4.64 at POD30. The differences were statistically significant for T0 versus POD1 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in SCP (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS Transitory hemodynamic changes can occur in the DCP and in the CCL following muscle recession procedures.