Differences in macular capillary parameters between healthy black and white subjects with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 9;14(10):e0223142. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223142. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate if there are differences in macular capillaries between black and white subjects using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and identify potential factors underlying the epidemiologically-based higher vulnerability of black populations to diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: This prospective, observational cross-sectional study included 93 eyes of 47 healthy subjects with no medical history and ocular history who self-identified as black or white and were matched for age, sex, refractive error, and image quality. Subjects underwent OCTA imaging (RTVue-XR Avanti) of the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris. AngioAnalytics was used to analyze vessel density (VD) and choriocapillaris % blood flow area (BFA) in the 1mm-diameter fovea, parafovea, and 3mm-diameter circular area including the fovea and parafovea (3x3mm image). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was also analyzed. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate for differences between the study groups.

Results: Compared to the white subjects in this study, black subjects were found to have: lower foveal VD in the SCP (p<0.05); lower VD in the parafovea and in the 3x3mm image in the DCP (p<0.05); larger FAZ in SCP and DCP (p<0.05); and decreased choriocapillary BFA in the area underlying the fovea, parafovea, and 3x3mm image (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In our study, our black subjects had decreased macular capillary vasculature compared to matched white subjects, even in early adulthood and the absence of any systemic or ocular conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that retinal and choriocapillary vascular differences may contribute to racial disparities in vulnerability to DR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black People*
  • Capillaries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fluorescein Angiography*
  • Fovea Centralis / diagnostic imaging
  • Healthy Volunteers*
  • Humans
  • Macula Lutea / diagnostic imaging*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*
  • White People*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

LC; No grant number; University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (Pritzker Research Fellowship); https://pritzker.uchicago.edu/page/pritzker-and-northshore-fellowships; The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. DS; No grant number; Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (Research Grant); http://www.eyehealthillinois.org/research-grants/; The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.