Foveal Avascular Zone Area in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Ploysai Rujkorakarn,1 Kanyanat Pholprathom,2 Parinya Srihatrai2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; 2Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham, Maha Sarakham, 44000, ThailandCorrespondence: Parinya Srihatrai, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, 79/99 Talat, Maha Sarakham, Mueang Maha Sarakham, Maha Sarakham, 44000, Thailand, Email [email protected]: To evaluate the area of the superficial foveal avascular zone (SFAZ) and deep foveal avascular zone (DFAZ) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and to associate the SFAZ and DFAZ areas with medication.Design: A cross-sectional observational study.Patients and Methods: This study included 36 eyes of 36 SLE patients and 33 eyes of 33 healthy controls. SFAZ, DFAZ, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured using Spectralis OCT-A. Data on medical history and medications were collected to determine associations with SFAZ and DFAZ areas.Results: SFAZ and DFAZ areas showed no significant association with hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine duration or immunosuppressive therapy (p> 0.05).Conclusion: The SFAZ and DFAZ areas in patients with SLE were not significantly larger than those in healthy controls. However, the CRT was significantly thinner.Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus, optical coherence tomography angiography, foveal avascular zone