OCT angiography for the evaluation of macular ischemic micro-angiopathies

The management of maculopathies related to the retinal vascular micro-angiopathies, has been significantly improved since the initiation of intravitreal therapeutical approaches. A detailed evaluation of the vascular abnormalities by Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography offers an accurate evaluation of the therapeutical indications and their beneficial anatomical effects. OCT angiography has several advantages, such as 3D visualization of retinal and choroidal circulations (including the choriocapillaris). Using this non-invasive alternative method, ischemia, microaneurysms, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities and the detection of neovascularization can be clearly visualized by a closer observation of each layer of the retinal capillaries. As an alternative to dye-based angiography, in addition to the 3D tomographic macular imaging, OCT angiography may be clinically useful to evaluate the microvascular status and therapeutic effect of treatments for macular ischemic microangiopathies.