Peripapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout is associated with poor prognosis in optic neuritis

PurposeTo identify peripapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) in eyes with optic neuritis and its association with longitudinal changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thicknesses following diagnosis. MethodsA total of 48 eyes with optic neuritis was evaluated to identify the presence of peripapillary choroidal MvD, defined as a focal capillary loss with no visible microvascular network in choroidal layer, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA). Patients were divided based on the presence of MvD. OCT and standard automated perimetry (SAP) conducted at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up were analyzed. ResultsMvD was identified in 20 of 48 eyes (41.7%) with optic neuritis. MvD was most commonly found in the temporal quadrant (85.0%), and peripapillary retinal vessel density in the temporal quadrant was significantly lower in eyes with MvD (P = 0.012). At 6 months follow-up, optic neuritis eyes with MvD showed significantly thinner GCIP in superior, superotemporal, inferior and inferotemporal sectors (P<0.05). No significant difference was noted in SAP parameters. The presence of MvD was significantly associated with thinner global GCIP thickness at 6 months follow-up (OR 0.909, 95% CI 0.833-0.992, P = 0.032). ConclusionOptic neuritis showed peripapillary choroidal microvascular impairment in the form of MvD. MvD was associated with structural deterioration at macular GCIP. Further studies are necessary to identify the causal relationship between microvascular impairment and retinal nerve fiber layer damage in optic neuritis.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the presence of peripapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) in eyes with optic neuritis and its association with longitudinal changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thicknesses. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate 48 eyes with optic neuritis, and MvD was found in 41.7% of the eyes. MvD was most commonly found in the temporal quadrant, and eyes with MvD had significantly lower peripapillary retinal vessel density in the temporal quadrant. At 6 months follow-up, eyes with MvD showed thinner GCIP in multiple sectors. The presence of MvD was significantly associated with thinner global GCIP thickness at 6 months follow-up.