Retinal and Choroidal changes in patients with Chronic liver diseases

Background: When liver function steadily declines for longer than six months, it is called chronic liver disease (CLD). Noninvasive methods for detecting early retinal and choroidal alterations, as well as retinal vascular impairment, include optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Aim and objectives: Use OCT to measure the effects of long-term liver illness on the retina and choroid and use OCTA to measure vascular alterations in the retinal capillary density and radial peripapillary capillary density.Patients and methods: Fifteen patients with chronic liver disorders and fifteen age- and sex-matched healthy persons participated in this single-center prospective case-control research. Every research participant received a comprehensive ophthalmological assessment comprising intraocular pressure (IOP) assessment, fundus examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results: Central foveal thickness (CFT) was increased in the cases group (248.7±16.5 um) compared to the control group (239.6±9.7 um); Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was decreased in the cases group. SVD decreased in the cases group (45.1±4.6) compared to the control group (47.9±2.1); Deep vessel density (DVD) decreased in the cases group (44.2±4.9) versus the control group (48.7±1.9).Conclusion: OCT measures (CFT & RNFL thickness) and OCTA metrics [Superficial vessel density (SVD) and DVD)] showed statistically significant correlations with ocular parameters, biochemical parameters, and clinical data in the cases group. For individuals with chronic liver illnesses, the results of OCT and OCTA highlight the intricate relationship between liver function and ocular structures.