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BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel noninvasive method which enables a quantitative evaluation of retinal and optic nerve head (ONH) perfusion. In this article, we discuss the principles of the application of OCTA and give a summary of the knowledge gained by using this method in glaucoma patients. METHODS: This article is based on a selective literature search and the analysis of own data. RESULTS: Quantitative OCTA parameters have a good reproducibility in glaucoma patients. Glaucoma patients show a reduced flow density (FD) in the ONH and in the area of the macula compared with a healthy control group. The FD parameters show a good diagnostic discriminatory power but are not superior to the structural parameters used in routine diagnostics. The reduced FD measured using OCTA correlates with the extent of functional and structural glaucoma damage. CONCLUSION: The OCTA is noninvasive, fast and reproducible. Initial results from studies on glaucoma patients show the high diagnostic potential of this method. The OCTA could become a part of clinical glaucoma management in the future.
Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Domagkstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Deutschland. maged.alnawaiseh@ukmuenster.de.
Full article6.9.2.2 Posterior (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis > 6.9.2 Optical coherence tomography)
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)