Analysis of optic disc and macular vascular density in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To analyze the vascular density of optic disc and macular area in patients with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Methods: The medical records of 97 patients with NPDR who were hospitalized in our hospital from April 2019 to April 2020 were collected, and the patients were divided into mild/moderate group (n=44) and severe group (n=53). In addition, 38 cases of age - and gender matched healthy individuals after the physical examination during the same period were included in the healthy control group. The general data were collected and the ocular basic and optical coherence tomography angiography were performed. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, the best corrected visual acuity of patients with NPDR was decreased, the radial capillary density of the whole optic disc and its surrounding areas, all areas except the upper nasal side, and the shallow and deep capillary density of different macular areas witnessed an evident drop (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the vascular density of the optic disc and macular area and the severity of the disease, and it had a high evaluation value for the disease (P<0.05). Conclusion: The vascular density of the optic disc and macular area decreases in NPDR patients, which is closely related to the severity of the disease.