PATTERNS OF PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY DUE TO CORONAVIRUS INFECTION ACCORDING TO OCT-ANGIO.
Keywords:
coronavirus infection; COVID-19; diabetic retinopathy; OCT- angio; progression patterns.Abstract
The purpose of study. To study the progression patterns of diabetic retinopathy
(DR) based on OCT-angio data. Methods. A total of 54 patients with DR were included
in the study based on the selection results. The work included an in-depth ophthalmological
examination of patients using general and special methods included in the standard for
examining patients with DR. Data from a previous (2019) ophthalmological examination
and data on past COVID-19 were retrospectively studied. OCT-angio was performed to
clarify the stage of DR and monitor the dynamics of its progression. Patients included in
the study groups had data from a previous OCT-angio, which was performed as part of an
ophthalmological examination prior to undergoing COVID-19. Results. The analysis was
carried out in 2 comparative groups depending on the progression of DR. Analysis of the
severity of DR in the eyes of patients in whom disease progression was detected (n=36)
showed that in 66,7% of cases the general disease of COVID-19 proceeded in a severe
form, in 22,2% - in a moderate form and in 11,1% of cases - in a mild form. In patients
with DR in the study group, on average, there was a significant increase in the foveal
avascular zone (FAZ) after coronavirus infection (by 24,5-61,5% above the norm (p<0.05)).
Qualitative analysis showed signs of rupture of the perifoveolar vascular ring and
impoverishment of the perifoveolar vascular pattern. The results of a group of patients with
progression of DR showed that after a coronavirus infection, a statistically significant
(p<0.05) decrease in blood flow density in the macular zone was found in almost all areas
of the study. Conclusion. The following indicators can be considered as OCT-angio biomarkers
of DR progression against the background of coronavirus infection: a decrease in the area
of the FAZ and a decrease in blood flow density in the macular zone with a decrease in the
average value for 9 quadrants by more than 2 times.
