Both proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) affect the macular microvasculature. Whilst diabetic retinopathy is a gradual process and predominantly affects the venous end of capillaries, CRVO causes acute back pressure from larger veins into the microvasculature. However, both have clinically similar endpoints in terms of macular ischaemia and macular oedema. In this study, we evaluated the similarities and differences in microvascular changes at the macula in these two conditions using multimodal imaging. In particular, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to quantify changes in the architecture of different vascular plexi of retina [1]. On OCT, the disorganisation of inner retinal layers (DRIL) has been reported as a marker of ischaemia in both these conditions and is associated with poor visual prognosis [2, 3]. We hypothesise that as the inciting stimuli in these two conditions vary, these conditions may affect the macular microvasculature differently.

This retrospective observational study was performed at the Moorfields eye Hospital. Imaging was performed as part of standard clinic procedure. Institutional review board approval was not required.

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