Dataset Information

Optical Coherence Tomography Features Preceding the Onset of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease with multifactorial etiology. There is a need to identify clinical features that are harbingers of advanced disease. We evaluated morphologic features of the retina and choroid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine if they predict progression to advanced disease.

Methods

Progressors transitioned from early or intermediate AMD to advanced disease (n = 40 eyes), and were matched on baseline AMD grade and follow-up interval to nonprogressors who did not develop advanced AMD (n = 40 eyes). Features of the neurosensory retina, photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and choroid were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate univariate associations between features and progression to overall advanced AMD, geographic atrophy (GA), and neovascular disease (NV). Multivariate associations based on stepwise regression models were also assessed.

Results

Ellipsoid zone disruption was associated with progression to overall advanced AMD and NV (odds ratios [ORs]: 17.9 and 30.6; P < 0.001), with a similar trend observed for GA. Drusenoid RPE detachment, RPE thickening, and retinal pigmentary hyperreflective material were significantly associated with higher risk of progression to advanced AMD (ORs: 5.0-8.5) and NV (ORs: 10.8-17.2). Pigmentary hyperreflective material was associated with progression to GA (OR: 7.5, P = 0.009). Total retinal thickness, pigmentary hyperreflective material, nascent GA features, and choroidal vessel abnormalities were independently associated with progression to advanced AMD in a multivariate stepwise model.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in the photoreceptors, retinal thickness, RPE, and choroid were associated with higher risk of developing advanced AMD. These findings provide insights into disease progression, and may be helpful to identify earlier endpoints for clinical studies.

SUBMITTER: Ferrara D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5512971 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundOCT-A is a recent imaging technique allowing a non-invasive assessment of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature, providing valuable data for the diagnosis and monitoring of wet AMD. We aim to determine the diagnosis accuracy, describe the morphological features, and assess the clinical activity of MNV in wet AMD using OCT-A.Materials and methodsWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a 15-month period. We enrolled patients with treatment-naive and treated MNV secondary to wet AMD. Macular OCT-A images were obtained using a swept-source OCT-A device (Triton SS-OCT, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Morphologic characteristics and semi-automated measurements were analyzed on the en face projection OCT-Angiograms. For the qualitative analysis, determined the sensitivity of detection of the MNV using OCTA. When detected, we described its shape, branching pattern, anastomoses and loops, and vessel termination. We looked for the halo sign and the feeder vessel. We then defined the lesion's "pattern" reflecting its exudative activity. For the quantitative analysis, we measured the lesion's area in square millimeters, when its borders were clearly defined.Results70 eyes from 55 patients were enrolled in this study. Type 1 MNV was identified in 57,1% eyes, type 2 in 21,4%, mixed type 1 and2 in 1,4%, type 3 in 1,4% and unclassified fibrotic MNV in 18,6%. 55,7% were active and 44,3% were inactive. Sensitivity of detection was 85% for type 1 lesions, 100% for type 2, mixed and type 3 lesions, and 92% for unclassified fibrotic lesions. It was 84,6% for active lesions and 96,8% for inactive lesions. For each detected lesion, shape was well-defined (medusa, glomerulus, seafan), long liner vessels or ill-defined. Branching pattern was dense or loose. Anastomoses and vascular loops were numerous or few. Termination was in an anastomotic arcade or in a dead-tree aspect. Halo sign was present or absent and feeder vessel was detected or not. All types combined, 41,3% of the lesions were "pattern I" and 58,7% were pattern II. We reported a correlation rate of 84,8% between the lesion's activity on MI and « pattern I » on OCT-A, and of 96,6% between absence of activity signs on MI and « pattern II » on OCT-A The mean area of inactive lesions was slightly larger than that of active lesions with respective values of 3.86 mm2 and 2.92 mm2.ConclusionOCT-A is a non-invasive, safe, and reproducible retinal imaging technique with a high sensitivity of detection of MNV in AMD. It provides useful qualitative and quantitative data. The involvement of OCT-A in the treatment decision for MNV in AMD is linked to identifying the "pattern" of the lesion reflecting its active or inactive status.

Project description:PurposeDescribe qualitative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of eyes classified as intermediate age-related macular degeneration (nonadvanced AMD) from Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) color fundus photography (CFP) grading.DesignProspective cross-sectional study.ParticipantsWe included 345 AREDS2 participants from 4 study centers and 122 control participants who lack CFP features of intermediate AMD.MethodsBoth eyes were imaged with SD-OCT and CFP. The SD-OCT macular volume scans were graded for the presence of 5 retinal, 5 subretinal, and 4 drusen characteristics. In all, 314 AREDS2 participants with ?1 category-3 AMD eye and all controls each had 1 eye entered into SD-OCT analysis, with 63 eyes regraded to test reproducibility.Main outcome measuresWe assessed SD-OCT characteristics at baseline.ResultsIn 98% of AMD eyes, SD-OCT grading of all characteristics was successful, detecting drusen in 99.7%, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy/absence in 22.9%, subfoveal geographic atrophy in 2.5%, and fluid in or under the retina in 25.5%. Twenty-eight percent of AMD eyes had characteristics of possible advanced AMD on SD-OCT. Two percent of control eyes had drusen on SD-OCT. Vision loss was not correlated with foveal drusen alone, but with foveal drusen that were associated with other foveal pathology and with overlying focal hyperreflectivity. Focal hyperreflectivity over drusen, drusen cores, and hyper- or hyporeflectivity of drusen were also associated with RPE atrophy.ConclusionsMacular pathologies in AMD can be qualitatively and reproducibly evaluated with SD-OCT, identifying pathologic features that are associated with vision loss, RPE atrophy, and even possibly the presence of advanced AMD not apparent on CFP. Qualitative and detailed SD-OCT analysis can contribute to the anatomic characterization of AMD in clinical studies of vision loss and disease progression.Financial disclosure(s)Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Project description:PURPOSE:To detect and quantify choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. DESIGN:Observational, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 5 normal subjects and 5 subjects with neovascular AMD were included. METHODS:A total of 5 eyes with neovascular AMD and 5 normal age-matched controls were scanned by a high-speed (100 000 A-scans/seconds) 1050-nm wavelength swept-source OCT. The macular angiography scan covered a 3 × 3-mm area and comprised 200 × 200 × 8 A-scans acquired in 3.5 seconds. Flow was detected using the split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) algorithm. Motion artifacts were removed by 3-dimensional (3D) orthogonal registration and merging of 4 scans. The 3D angiography was segmented into 3 layers: inner retina (to show retinal vasculature), outer retina (to identify CNV), and choroid. En face maximum projection was used to obtain 2-dimensional angiograms from the 3 layers. The CNV area and flow index were computed from the en face OCT angiogram of the outer retinal layer. Flow (decorrelation) and structural data were combined in composite color angiograms for both en face and cross-sectional views. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The CNV angiogram, CNV area, and CNV flow index. RESULTS:En face OCT angiograms of CNV showed sizes and locations that were confirmed by fluorescein angiography (FA). Optical coherence tomography angiography provided more distinct vascular network patterns that were less obscured by subretinal hemorrhage. The en face angiograms also showed areas of reduced choroidal flow adjacent to the CNV in all cases and significantly reduced retinal flow in 1 case. Cross-sectional angiograms were used to visualize CNV location relative to the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's layer and classify type I and type II CNV. A feeder vessel could be identified in 1 case. Higher flow indexes were associated with larger CNV and type II CNV. CONCLUSIONS:Optical coherence tomography angiography provides depth-resolved information and detailed images of CNV in neovascular AMD. Quantitative information regarding CNV flow and area can be obtained. Further studies are needed to assess the role of quantitative OCT angiography in the evaluation and treatment of neovascular AMD.

Project description:PurposeTo examine changes in retinal vasculature and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).MethodsZeiss Cirrus Angioplex OCTA 6 × 6 mm scans and a macula 512 × 128 cube scans of the central retina were taken of 63 eyes with intermediate AMD and 51 control eyes. For OCTA scans, the superficial and deep capillary plexus were automatically segmented and vascular density quantified as total number of pixels contributing to the blood flow signal detectable by OCTA. Images were then skeletonized and vessel length, diameter index, morphology, and branching complexity determined. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) characteristics and GCL thickness were extracted from in-built Angioplex software.ResultsVascular density was significantly reduced in the superficial capillary plexus of AMD eyes compared with normal eyes, particularly in the superior quadrant (42.4% ± 1.6% vs. 43.2% ± 1.4%; P < 0.05). A nonsignificant reduction was also seen in the deep capillary plexus (P = 0.06). Total vessel length and average vessel diameter were all significantly decreased in AMD eyes suggesting density changes were related to decreased vessel number and caliber. Vascular complexity and number of branch points was significantly decreased in the deep capillary plexus (P < 0.05) suggesting loss or significantly reduced flow of vessels. Average GCL thickness was also significantly reduced in the AMD eyes (P < 0.05). No significant changes in FAZ parameters were observed in AMD eyes.ConclusionsThis study suggests intermediate AMD affects both the quantity and morphology of inner retinal vasculature and may be associated with changes in inner retinal structure. This work builds upon the notion that AMD pathogenesis may extends beyond the outer retina.Translational relevanceBetter understanding of retinal vascular changes in AMD can provide insights in the development of treatment and prevention protocols for these diseases.

Project description:ObjectiveTo report reading center reproducibility during grading of Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) images obtained during the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT).DesignProspective, clinical trial.ParticipantsIndependent reading teams reevaluated 270 OCT scans randomly sampled from the first 2 years of CATT enrollment. To assess temporal drift, a cohort of 23 scans submitted during the initial portion of the CATT study was longitudinally followed with serial reproducibility analysis.InterventionThe CATT readers performed standardized grading of OCT images. A reader team, composed of 2 independent readers and a senior reader, evaluated each scan. Grading included the CATT OCT end points of total thickness at the foveal center point and intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF), and subretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) fluid. Independent reading teams masked to the results of initial grading reevaluated scans to determine the reproducibility of qualitative grading and measurements.Main outcome measuresCategorical grading agreement was reported using percent agreement and kappa statistic, and measurement agreement was reported using intraclass correlations and paired differences.ResultsReading center teams reproducibly graded IRF (percent agreement = 73%, kappa = 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.58), SRF (percent agreement = 90%; kappa = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73-0.87), and sub-RPE fluid (percent agreement 88%; kappa = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.83). For independent reading center team measurements of total thickness at the foveal center point, the intraclass correlation was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-0.99), and the mean paired difference between reading center teams was 4 ?m (95% limits of agreement, -55 to 47 ?m). There was no qualitative or quantitative grading drift.ConclusionsThe standardized protocols used to evaluate OCT scans from the CATT study were reproducible. The methods used are suitable to monitor OCT imaging data from a large, neovascular age-related macular degeneration, interventional, multicenter study.Financial disclosure(s)The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.