Analysis of colour defects and microvascular abnormalities in dysthyroid optic neuropathy using optical coherence tomography angiography
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: • Clinically, impaired color vision had been used as a clinical feature in diagnosing DON. In recent years, the researchers also focused on the microvascular abnormalities in DON using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). As is well known, retinal blood flow is the only visible blood vessel in the human body that can be seen with the naked eye. The present study focuses on the color vision defect and retinal change in DON. In this study, we further demonstrate that protan may be a characteristic type of color vision defect in DON, which is consistent with our previous findings. This also suggests that HRR color test is an important factor in diagnosing DON, proven by our machine learning model. A further novel finding is that HRR score is statistically correlated with the retinal change in DON, especially for RPC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the correlation of color vision and retinal blood flow by OCTA in DON. To evaluate the correlation between colour vision deficiency and microvascular abnormalities in patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). Patients with DON and healthy controls were enrolled. HRR colour examination and OCTA device were used for all the subjects. The vessel density (VD), optic disc-associated capillary density (CD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) were compared between the DON and normal groups. In addition, the correlation between the OCTA parameters and the Hardy-Rand-Rittler (HRR) score was also assessed. One hundred and fourteen eyes of 60 patients (30 patients with DON and 30 normal controls) were included in our study. The HRR score, RNFL, FAZ and parafoveal vessel density were lower in DON patients than in healthy controls (p<0.05). We detected significant correlations between the HRR score and the radial capillary density (RPC), superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and RNFL. The HRR test plays an important role in the diagnosis of DON. Protan deficiency was the major type of colour deficiency in DON according to the HRR test. In terms of pathogenesis, colour vision defects may be correlated with changes in retinal blood flow in patients with DON, which could be early signs for the diagnosis of DON.
Institutions: Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,610
Awards: G1628400107, G3848940083
OpenAlex ID: W4416421372