Evaluation of Peripapillary and Macular Vascular Flow Changes with OCT-A in Patients with Superficial Optic Disk Drusen.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the peripapillary and macular vascular flow changes between healthy adults and adult patients with superficial optic disk drusen (ODD), as evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 44 eyes of 22 patients with superficial ODD followed-up in our neuro-ophthalmology unit and 54 eyes of 27 healthy individuals admitted to our clinic for routine ophthalmological examination were included in the study. The superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPC) vessel density (VD) values; superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal parafoveal and foveal region superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD values; and choriocapillaris flow (CCF) area and foveal avascular zone area were evaluated by OCT-A.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of age and sex. While there was a significant decrease in the temporal RPC VD values in cases with ODD (p=0.02), no significant difference was observed in other quadrants. No significant differences in either parafoveal zone four quadrant, foveal SCP and DCP VD values, or foveal avascular zone measurements were found between groups, while CCF area values were significantly higher in the study group (p=0.012).

Conclusion: Compared to healthy controls, our results showed a decrease in the RPC temporal quadrant VD values, and an increase in CCF area in cases with superficial ODD. To evaluate the effects of ODD on optic nerve head and macular perfusion, and to understand its underlying mechanisms and secondary complications, longer follow-up studies with larger case series are needed.