Macular Microvasculature Features of the Eyes of Healthy Korean Children Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Purpose: We used optical coherence tomography angiography to analyze the macular microvasculature of normal eyes of healthy Korean children; we derived normative data stratified by age. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 68 children (126 eyes) aged from 3 to 15 years. Optical coherence tomography angiography was performed on 3-mm(2) regions centered on the fovea. The vascular densities of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses and the foveal avascular zone were determined, and analyzed by age. We sought correlations between age, gender, axial length, and the spherical equivalent. Results: The foveal, superficial capillary plexus vessel densities were 17.41 +/- 5.41, 20.53 +/- 4.76, 21.78 +/- 5.73, and 22.95 +/- 3.91% in children aged 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-15 years, respectively. The vessel densities of the foveal deep capillary plexus were 30.20 +/- 6.59, 34.54 +/- 7.16, 35.81 +/- 6.02, and 37.38 +/- 5.16% in those aged 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-15 years, respectively. Significant differences by age were apparent (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). The foveal vessel densities of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses were positively correlated with axial length (R-2 = 0.153, p < 0.001; R-2 = 0.158, p < 0.001, respectively) and the foveal avascular zone area was negatively correlated with axial length (R-2 = 0.085, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The vessel densities of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses measured via optical coherence tomography angiography in normal eyes of healthy Korean children differed by age, and correlated significantly with axial length.