OCT-Angiography for Detection of Choroidal Neovascularization: A Retrospective Real-Life Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess OCT-angiography (OCT-A) contribution for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) detection, with respect to multimodal imaging (MMI) modality (including OCT, fluorescein angiography (FFA), and indocyanine green angiography [ICG]), in a real-life consultation practice.

Methods: Data of all consecutive patients undergoing OCT-A examination for CNV suspicion were collected between September 2017 and September 2019 at Strasbourg University Hospital, France. Only eyes which had anti-VEGF injection in the last 3 months were excluded. All types of neovascularization were included. For all patients, data from OCT, OCT-A, FFA, and ICG were interpreted by residents and retinal specialists, independently. Final diagnosis of CNV was based on decision to treat. Sensibility, specificity, and predictive values were computed for OCT-A alone and for MMI (OCT combined to angiography). They were computed for each group. OCT-A was also assessed as "contributory" (i.e., assessing without doubt the presence or absence of CNV) or not, with respect to MMI.

Results: In total, 161 eyes of 145 patients were included. MMI sensibility was better than OCT-A sensibility (93.8 vs. 65.6%). OCT-A specificity was better than MMI specificity (96.9 vs. 89.5%). OCT-A was essential for diagnosis in 16.9% of cases. Sensibility and specificity values for all exams were better when interpreted by retinal specialists than residents. OCT-A was judged "contributory" in 57.4% of eyes. OCT-A was significantly less contributory when artefacts were present (32.9% of eyes with artefacts vs. 63.5% without, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: OCT-A showed to be essential in diagnosing CNV in >16% of cases. However, it often failed to conclude for the absence of CNV, which obliged to perform more exams such as angiography. OCT-A must be part of diagnostic procedure for CNV detection but does not discard angiography in everyday life practice.

Keywords: Artefacts; Choroidal neovascularization; Neovascular age-related macular degeneration; OCT-Angiography; Real-life.