Visualization of microaneurysms in macular telangiectasia type 1 on optical coherence tomography angiography before and after photocoagulation

Purpose To evaluate changes in the visualization of microaneurysms (MAs) in cases of macular telangiectasia (Mac Tel) type 1 on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) before and after treatment with direct photocoagulation and to evaluate their relationship with treatment efficacy. Methods The study included 12 eyes from 12 patients (8 men, 4 women; mean age 72.1 years) with Mac Tel type 1 accompanied by cystoid macular edema. OCTA for the evaluation of MAs was performed before and 15 min and 6, 12, and 24 weeks after photocoagulation. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were also evaluated. Results A total of 73 MAs were detected within the areas of macular edema on OCTA, and 39 of these underwent photocoagulation. At 15 min after treatment, 17 MAs were no longer visible on OCTA. At 6 weeks, two MAs had reappeared, whereas five additional MAs were no longer visible. The CRT in eyes with resolved MA was significantly less than that in eyes with persistent MAs (p = 0.016). At 24 weeks, seven eyes had no visible MAs, and the BCVA was not significantly different from baseline. Conclusion OCTA can monitor changes in the visualization of MAs associated with Mac Tel type 1 after direct photocoagulation. Eyes in which MAs disappeared after treatment could recover from cystoid macular edema.

Automated summary

The study showed that changes in the visualization of MAs associated with Mac Tel type 1 after direct photocoagulation can be monitored using OCTA. Eyes in which MAs disappeared after treatment could recover from cystoid macular edema, with a significant decrease in CRT.