Analysis of Optic Nerve and Macula Microvasculature in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Analysis of Optic Nerve and Macula Microvasculature in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Analysis of Optic Nerve and Macula Microvasculature in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Emre Ekici¹, Mehmet Okka², Enver Mirza² This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in International Ophthalmology → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective We aimed to investigate the microvascular structure of the macula and optic nerve head in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). Materials and Methods Thirty patients with no systemic disease other than PV and 27 healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 were included in the study. The patients underwent a detailed ophthalmologic evaluation including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure measurement with a non-contact tonometer, anterior segment and fundus examination with a biomicroscope, OCT and OCTA measurements, as well as blood tests. Data from one eye of each study participant was evaluated. Results In the macula, superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vascular density (VD) (%) values ​​were found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group in the inferior half (p = 0.015), superior (p = 0.042), temporal (p = 0.044) and inferior (p = 0.020) areas of the parafovea and in the inferior area of ​​the perifovea (p = 0.043). Deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD values ​​were lower in the patient group compared to the control group in the whole area (p = 0.001), superior half (p = 0.002), inferior half (p = 0.001), parafovea (p < 0.001), and perifovea (p = 0.008). When radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) VD values ​​from the optic disc were investigated, significantly lower values ​​were observed in the peripapillary (p = 0.007) and nasal superior (p = 0.004) quadrants in the patient group. Conclusion The significantly lower SCP, DCP and RPCP VD values in the patient group may be related to increased blood viscosity, microcirculatory disorders, and ischemia in PV patients. In particular, the slowdown of retinal and choriocapillary circulation due to hyperviscosity may be considered as the basic mechanism explaining the decrease in VD values. Hyperviscosity optical coherence tomography angiography polycythemia vera vascular density Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative stem cell disease characterized by excessive production of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets [ 1 ]. Factors such as increased hematocrit (Hct) levels, thrombocytosis, impaired fibrinolytic activity, and platelet and leukocyte activation contribute to the formation of thrombosis. The disease is diagnosed according to the 2016 World Health Organization criteria [ 2 ]. Thrombosis is the main cause of disease-related morbidity and mortality in PV [ 3 ]. Microcirculatory disorders can cause visual problems such as scintillating scotomas, transient vision loss (amaurosis fugax), cilioretinal artery occlusion, and ophthalmic migraine [ 4 , 5 ]. Previous studies have shown that narrowing of the retinal arteries and dilatation of the retinal veins affect retinal microcirculation in PV patients [ 6 ]. In addition, retinal and choroidal blood flow have been shown to slow down in fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) [ 7 ]. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a method that can noninvasively image the vascular network structures in the retina and choroid. OCTA records erythrocyte movements using multiple B-scans and allows detailed examination of retinal vascular structures. It separates the retina into layers, allowing imaging of the superficial, deep retinal vascular plexus, and choriocapillary plexus and provides quantitative measurement data [ 8 ]. This study aimed to evaluate the optic nerve head and macular microvasculature of PV patients using OCTA. Materials and Methods This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine (decision numbered 2022/3885, dated 01.07.2022). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and their families. This prospective clinical study was conducted with PV patients who applied to the Ophthalmology Polyclinic of Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine Hospital for eye examination between July 2022 and June 2023 and followed up in the hematology clinic according to the specified criteria. Data from one eye of each PV patient group and healthy control group were evaluated. The patients detailed ophthalmologic examination, hemogram, biochemical tests (albumin, total protein), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA images were examined. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with Snellen letter chart, intraocular pressure with non-contact tonometer, biomicroscopic and fundoscopic examinations, OCT and OCTA measurements were performed within the scope of clinical ophthalmologic examinations. During the examinations, 5 mL of venous blood samples were taken into a plastic gel tube and 3 mL into an EDTA tube from the antecubital region. The hemogram was tested in the biochemistry laboratory using an automatic blood cell analyzer (Pentra 120 Retik®, ABX, Montpellier, France), while the biochemical parameters were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer 7600–120 (Hitachi High Technologies, Japan). The PV group included patients over 18 years of age, with a spherical equivalent value between + 4.0 D and − 4.0 D, no signs of ocular disease, and diagnosed with PV. The control group included healthy volunteers. Participants with any optic disc (OD) and/or retinal pathology (OD anomalies, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, epiretinal membrane, ocular trauma history, etc.) that could affect OCTA measurements were excluded from the study. OCT evaluations were performed using a SD-OCT device (Spectralis®, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). The macula was automatically measured in nine different quadrants by the software. OCTA measurements were performed with both 4.5 x 4.5 mm optic disc HD angiography and 6 x 6 mm HD angiography retinal scans. The imaging areas were automatically determined and analyzed by the device software (Optovue, Version 2018.1.0.37). OCTA imaging was done with a commercial system (AngioVue RTVue XR, Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). The separation of the superficial and deep vascular layers of the retina into quadrants was performed automatically by the device's own software. For the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) (Fig. 1) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), vascular density (VD) measurements were taken in the fovea, parafovea, perifovea, superior half, inferior half and the entire area in the macula region. The parafovea and perifovea areas were divided into superior, inferior, temporal and nasal quadrants. The central region of the macula with a diameter of 1 mm was designated as the fovea, the surrounding 3 mm diameter ring as the parafoveal area, and the outer 3–6 mm diameter ring as the perifoveal area. Foveal avascular zone area (FAZ) (Fig. 2) and choriocapillaris flow area (mm²) measurements in a 1 mm radius area were performed automatically by the device software. VD in the optic nerve head was automatically calculated for the 750 µm wide peripapillary region with the AngioVue OCTA device. The density values ​​in the peripapillary area, total, inner disc, peripapillary, upper half field, lower half field, temporal superior, temporal inferior, nasal superior, and nasal inferior areas were automatically calculated by the device. Statistical analyses Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 18.0 package. In descriptive analyses, frequency data were given as number (n) and percentage (%), and numerical data were given as arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (SD). The conformity of numerical data to normal distribution was examined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The distribution of numerical data in two independent groups showing normal distribution was evaluated using the independent groups t-test, and the distribution of numerical data not showing normal distribution was evaluated using the Mann Whitney U test in two independent groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between two numerical data not showing normal distribution. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p < 0.05. Correlation relationship r = 0.05–0.30 was accepted as low or insignificant correlation, r = 0.30–0.40 as low-moderate correlation, r = 0.40–0.60 as moderate correlation, r = 0.60–0.70 as good correlation, r = 0.70–0.75 as a very good correlation, and r = 0.75-1.00 as perfect correlation. Results The study included 30 patients (PV group) and 27 healthy participants (control group) who met the specified criteria. The distribution of age, gender and hematological parameters of the study participants is presented in Table 1 . No significant difference were found in terms of age, gender and BCVA between the patient and control groups (p = 0.320, p = 0.093, p = 0.805, respectively). Hb and Hct levels were significantly higher in the PV group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Table 1 Distribution of gender, age, visual acuity, and hematological parameters in the PV and control groups PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p-value Gender Male Female 9 (%30.0) 21 (%70.0) 14 (%51.9) 13 (%48.1) 2.819* 0.093 Age (years) 46.03 ± 13.23 43.22 ± 9.87 0.993** 0.320 Hb (g/dl) 16.35 ± 1.26 14.25 ± 1.72 4.655** < 0.001 Hct (%) 48.73 ± 3.32 42.30 ± 4.30 6.344*** < 0.001 Albumin (g/dl) 46.34 ± 2.55 44.95 ± 2.52 2.051*** 0.045 Total Protein (g/dl) 72.50 ± 3.77 71.03 ± 3.29 1.558*** 0.125 BCVA 0.99 ± 0.04 10.99 ± 0.03 0.243*** 0.805 Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation * Pearson Chi-square test; ** Mann–Whitney U test; *** Independent samples t-test The distribution of OCT results is given in Table 2 . From the OCT values, it was determined that the mean central (p = 0.016) and nasal parafoveal (p = 0.018) thickness were significantly higher in the PV group compared to the control group. Table 2 Distribution of OCT results in patient and control groups OCT PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p-value Central macular thickness (µm) 275.80 ± 21.76 264.00 ± 18.96 2.407* 0.016 Temporal parafovea (µm) 335.40 ± 15.97 328.00 ± 11.20 2.004** 0.050 Superior parafovea (µm) 351.70 ± 18.40 343.37 ± 13.82 1.915** 0.061 Nasal Parafovea (µm) 350.53 ± 18.27 340.41 ± 12.76 2.445** 0.018 Inferior Parafovea (µm) 346.00 ± 19.04 337.22 ± 14.20 1.955** 0.056 Temporal perifovea (µm) 289.20 ± 16.00 287.030 ± 9.69 0.549** 0.586 Superior perifovea (µm) 301.50 ± 14.95 299.74 ± 12.31 0.482** 0.632 Nasal perifovea (µm) 321.27 ± 17.87 320.59 ± 11.29 0.168** 0.867 Inferior perifovea (µm) 295.17 ± 15.98 296.0 ± 12.24 0.297** 0.768 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation * Mann–Whitney U test; ** Independent samples t-test The distribution of SCP VD (%) measurement results in the patient and control groups is shown in Table 3 . Inferior hemifield VD value was found to be lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p = 0.015). In parafoveal area temporal, superior and inferior VD values ​​were significantly lower in the PV group compared to control group (p = 0.044, p = 0.042, p = 0.020, respectively). Moreover, inferior VD value in perifoveal area was found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to control group (p = 0.043). Table 3 Comparison of SCP VD (%) between patient and control groups SCP VD (%) PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p-value Total area 49.91 ± 3.22 51.60 ± 2.55 1.647* 0.100 Superior half 49.99 ± 3.34 51.39 ± 2.76 1.271* 0.204 Inferior half 49.83 ± 3.24 51.79 ± 2.56 2.522** 0.015 Fovea 21.81 ± 7.64 20.65 ± 7.00 0.592** 0.556 Parafovea Temporal 52.17 ± 4.27 54.31 ± 3.01 2.014* 0.044 Superior 52.86 ± 4.12 54.92 ± 3.22 2.087** 0.042 Nasal 51.29 ± 4.75 53.57 ± 2.65 1.687* 0.092 Inferior 52.86 ± 3.87 55.12 ± 3.12 2.404** 0.020 Parafovea 52.29 ± 3.98 54.48 ± 2.63 1.878* 0.060 Perifovea Temporal 46.40 ± 3.86 48.04 ± 2.89 1.794** 0.078 Superior 51.49 ± 4.12 52.10 ± 3.07 0.631** 0.530 Nasal 54.21 ± 3.40 55.78 ± 3.05 1.823** 0.074 Inferior 50.48 ± 3.75 52.35 ± 2.97 2.071** 0.043 Perifovea 50.64 ± 3.45 52.07 ± 2.68 1.723** 0.091 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation * Mann–Whitney U test; ** Independent samples t-test The distributions of DCP VD measurement results in the patient and control groups are presented in Table 4 . No significant difference was observed between foveal VD values ​​(p = 0.384). VD values ​​in all other areas were found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Table 4 Comparison of DCP VD (%) between the patient and control groups DCP VD (%) PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p-value Total area 49.07 ± 5.68 53.91 ± 4.73 3.472* 0.001 Superior half 49.40 ± 5.88 54.01 ± 4.86 3.208* 0.002 İnferior half 48.73 ± 5.55 53.83 ± 4.76 3.699* 0.001 Fovea 39.87 ± 8.66 38.21 ± 5.33 0.879* 0.384 Parafovea Temporal 54.06 ± 4.65 57.59 ± 3.63 3.169* 0.002 Superior 52.61 ± 4.86 56.97 ± 3.53 3.836* < 0.001 Nasal 53.82 ± 4.09 58.49 ± 3.46 4.621* < 0.001 Inferior 50.66 ± 5.34 56.13 ± 4.00 4.334* < 0.001 Parafovea 52.79 ± 4.51 57.30 ± 3.32 4.257* < 0.001 Perifovea Temporal 53.01 ± 5.58 57.46 ± 3.65 3.593* 0.001 Superior 51.14 ± 6.64 55.49 ± 5.87 2.605** 0.012 Nasal 49.07 ± 6.67 55.30 ± 5.61 2.857* 0.006 Inferior 49.07 ± 6.67 55.30 ± 5.61 3.792* < 0.001 Perifovea 50.96 ± 6.38 55.20 ± 5.13 2.741** 0.008 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation * Independent Samples T-Test, ** Mann–Whitney U Test The distribution of radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) VD measurement results is presented in Table 5 . Peripapillary and nasal superior VD values ​​were significantly lower in the PV group compared to the control group (p = 0.007, p = 0.004, respectively). Table 5 RPCP VD (%) values in the patient and control groups RPCP VD (%) PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p- value Total area 48.86 ± 3.05 50.20 ± 2.29 1.858* 0.069 Inner disc 49.81 ± 5.32 50.49 ± 4.05 0.537* 0.593 Peripapillary 51.42 ± 3.30 53.66 ± 2.61 2.823* 0.007 Superior half 51.80 ± 3.75 52.88 ± 3.18 1.174** 0.245 Inferior half 51.58 ± 3.49 53.02 ± 3.37 1.742** 0.081 Nasal superior 49.18 ± 3.35 51.77 ± 3.11 3.017* 0.004 Nasal inferior 47.74 ± 3.95 48.65 ± 4.87 0.983** 0.326 Temporal inferior 52.20 ± 2.98 53.35 ± 4.56 1.142* 0.258 Temporal superior 54.47 ± 5.45 55.91 ± 3.56 1.172* 0.246 Values are presented as Mean ± Standard Deviation *: Independent Samples T-Test, **: Mann–Whitney U Test There was no significant difference in the distribution of FAZ area (mm²) and choriocapillaris flow area (mm²) between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05) (Table 6 ). Table 6 FAZ area and choriocapillaris flow area measurements in the PV and control groups PV (n = 30) Control (n = 27) Test value p-value Faz area (mm 2 ) 0.25 ± 0.10 0.27 ± 0.08 0.901* 0.372 Choriocapillaris flow area (mm 2 ) 2.06 ± 0.22 2.09 ± 0.12 0.208** 0.835 Data are presented as Mean ± Standard Deviation. *: Independent Samples T-Test, **: Mann–Whitney U Test The relationship between Hct level and DCP and RPCP VD measurement results is given in Table 7 . Negative low to moderate correlations were found between Hct level and mean DCP VD measurements in the superior, inferior and nasal parafoveal quadrants and in the parafoveal (r = -0.304; p = 0.022, r = -0.337; p = 0.010, r = -0.347; p = 0.008, r = -0.327; p = 0.013, respectively). A low level significant positive correlation was observed with the foveal area (r = 0.264; p = 0.048). Table 7 Correlation between Hct and DCP VD and RPCP VD measurements DCP VD (%) Hematocrit r* p-value Total area -0.200 0.135 Superior half -0.182 0.176 Inferior half -0.216 0.107 Fovea 0.264 0.048 Parafovea Temporal -0.248 0.062 Superior -0.304 0.022 Nasal -0.347 0.008 Inferior -0.337 0.010 Parafovea -0.327 0.013 Perifovea Temporal -0.289 0.029 Superior -0.073 0.588 Nasal -0.178 0.185 Inferior -0.188 0.161 Perifovea -0.122 0.366 RPCP VD (%) Total area -0.452 < 0.001 Inner disc -0.021 0.877 Peripapillary -0.514 < 0.001 Superior half -0.261 0.050 Inferior half -0.416 0.001 Nasal superior -0.499 < 0.001 Nasal ınferior -0.346 0.008 Temporal inferior -0.204 0.127 Temporal superior -0.355 0.007 *: Pearson correlation coefficient Negative significant correlations were found between Hct level and RPCP VD measurements in various quadrants. A moderately significant correlation was found in the whole area, peripapillary, inferior half and nasal superior quadrants (r = -0.452; p < 0.001, r = -0.514; p < 0.001, r = -0.416; p < = 0.001, r = -0.499; p < 0.001, respectively). These findings indicate that Hct level may influence retinal and peripapillary VD. Discussion PV is characterized with erythrocytosis, increased Hct levels, and increased blood viscosity [9]. Thrombosis is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in PV. Factors causing thrombosis include platelet activation and increase, leukocyte activation, damage to the vascular endothelium, increased blood viscosity, and increased Hct levels. Thrombotic events may include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), Budd-Chiari syndrome, splanchnic vein thrombosis, stroke, and arterial thrombosis [10]. Ocular symptoms and signs in PV disease occur mainly because of hyperviscosity and thrombosis resulting from high Hct levels. The JAK2V617F mutation leads to a thrombogenic state that increases the adhesion of erythrocytes to endothelial cells, increasing the risk of thrombosis and vaso-occlusion, which may cause inadequate perfusion of retinal vessels [11]. These disruptions in microcirculation cause vascular occlusive ocular complications such as amaurosis fugax and cilioretinal artery occlusion. In addition, various ocular vascular complications such as central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal ischemia, and neovascularization have been reported in the literature [6, 12, 13]. OCTA is a fast, noninvasive, and reproducible imaging method that visualizes vascular structures in detail by detecting the contrast of blood flow in the posterior segment vessels [14]. This technique offers significant advantages for the diagnosis, pathogenesis and quantitative research of diseases, especially by imaging the superficial, RPCP and deep capillary complex layers. It also provides great opportunities for the development and evaluation of new treatment methods [15, 16]. Studies have shown that OCTA can effectively visualize microvascular changes in conditions such as choroidal neovascularization, retinal vascular occlusions, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. [17,18] In our study, central macular thickness and nasal parafovea quadrant measurements from OCT quadrants were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were found in the distribution of other OCT results. In their study with PV patients, Bilen et al. [19] found that the central macular thickness value measured by OCT was higher in the patient group compared to the control group, although not significantly. OCT data from other quadrants were not included in their study. The macula is the region most prone to edema development due to its anatomical features. The high number of cells and metabolic activity in this region, and the low rate of extracellular absorption due to the presence of FAZ are among the predisposing factors [20, 21]. Damage to ion pumps in the cell membrane due to hypoxia leads to the development of edema within the cell. Free radicals and toxins released secondary to cell death cause damage to the blood-retinal barrier [22]. In our study, the increase in thickness observed in OCT values in the patient group could be the result of ischemia due to arterial and venous spasm. We also think that ischemia may lead to an increase in macular thickness due to both edema development at the cellular level and disruption of the blood-retinal barrier. In our study, SCP VD values were found to be significantly lower in the patient group in the parafoveal temporal, superior, inferior quadrants, inferior perifovea and inferior hemifield. In the OCTA study conducted by Akdoğan et al. [23] with 30 PV patients, they found that SCP foveal VD values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. However, they did not see a significant difference in the whole field, perifoveal, and parafoveal areas. In the OCTA study of PV patients by Bilen et al. [19], it was reported that SCP whole field and parafoveal VD values were significantly higher in the control group. In our study, we found that DCP VD values were significantly lower in the patient group in all quadrants except the fovea. In the study conducted by Bilen et al. [19], DCP values were higher in the control group, but this difference was not significant. In the FFA study by Yang et al. [7] on PV patients with temporary vision loss, it was observed that choroidal filling time and artery-vein transit time were significantly prolonged in PV group compared to the control group. After treatment, the symptoms regressed, and choroidal filling time and artery-vein transit time reached normal values. In our study, the slowing of blood flow velocity due to hyperviscosity may have caused the measured VD values to be significantly lower in the patient group. We saw that VD values in the entire area as well as peripapillary and nasal superior quadrants of the RPCP were significantly lower in the PV group. We found a negative moderate correlation between Hct level and RPCP VD values in the entire area, peripapillary, inferior half and nasal superior quadrants. This data strengthened our hypothesis that blood flow slowdown and ischemia developed due to hyperviscosity. Our study has some limitations. No distinction was made between those who received phlebotomy or cytoreductive treatment in the patient group. The patient population included in the study was small. Larger scale clinical studies are needed to support our findings. In summary, we found that central and nasal parafoveal macular thickness increased in PV patients, DCP VD value decreased in all quadrants except fovea, VD value decreased in SCP parafoveal and perifoveal quadrants, RPCP peripapillary, and nasal superior quadrants, and that there was a negative correlation between Hct level and DCP and RPCP VD values in many quadrants. In conclusion, the number of OCTA studies conducted with PV patients are limited. OCTA detects erythrocyte movements and allows the noninvasive examination of retinal vascular density. By using OCTA, we had the opportunity to evaluate microvascular changes in detail in PV patients and observed that VD rates decreased due to hyperviscosity in PV patients. We determined that many retinal parameters decreased compared to normal values due to slow blood flow and development of ischemia. Larger scale studies are needed to examine the retinal vascular complications seen in PV patients. Declarations Author Contribution All authors contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study.EE and MO contributed to data acquisition.EE contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data.EE, MO, and EM drafted the manuscript.All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Data Availability The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions. References Lu X, Chang R (2024) Polycythemia vera. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan [updated 2023 Apr 24; cited 2024 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557660/ Arber DA, Orazi A, Hasserjian R, Thiele J, Borowitz MJ, Le Beau MM, et al. (2016) The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia. Blood 127(20):2391–2405. 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Ophthalmologica 224(Suppl 1):8–15. https://doi.org/10.1159/000315155 Cunha-Vaz J (2017) Mechanisms of retinal fluid accumulation and blood-retinal barrier breakdown. Dev Ophthalmol 58:11–20. https://doi.org/10.1159/000455265 Kohli P, Tripathy K, Patel BC (2024) Macular edema. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. [Updated 2024 Apr 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576396/ Akdoğan M, Doğan M, Gobeka HH, Şabaner MC, Elizade A, Yavaşoğlu F (2022) Optical coherence tomography angiographic assessment of polycythaemia vera-related retinal microvascular morphological changes: A cross-sectional case-control study. Turk Klinikleri J Ophthalmol 31(3):152–157. https://doi.org/10.5336/ophthal.2022-88447 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in International Ophthalmology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 26 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 10 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 21 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 15 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Oct, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Oct, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 15 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 15 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 13 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7115530","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":534795621,"identity":"0a456ab0-0110-4409-8f92-b3f83e829f9a","order_by":0,"name":"Emre Ekici¹","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA30lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACNoYDDAYgBvMBICEhQ4oWtgSQFh6itEABD1gjYS387G2JB34U2ESbt/d8fnWjxoKHgf3w0Q34tEj2HDtwsMcgLXfOmbPbrHOOAR3Gk5Z2A58WgxvpDYcZDA7nzpDI3WacwwbUIsFjhleL/f3nIC3/c2fIv3lmnPOPCC0GEmwHgFoOAG3hYX6c20aEFokzaQlAvyTnzuBJM2PO7ZPgYSPkF/72Y8Yffvyxy53Bfvjx55xvdXL87IeP4dWCDNgkwCSxykGA+QMpqkfBKBgFo2DkAAC370hniMaitwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Konya City Hospital","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Emre","middleName":"","lastName":"Ekici¹","suffix":""},{"id":534795622,"identity":"a7180a17-e5bb-47ea-b5c5-f059a745a5ab","order_by":1,"name":"Mehmet Okka²","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Necmettin Erbakan University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mehmet","middleName":"","lastName":"Okka²","suffix":""},{"id":534795623,"identity":"7782bc6e-ff8c-44df-bbd3-796f4288d1fa","order_by":2,"name":"Enver Mirza²","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Necmettin Erbakan University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Enver","middleName":"","lastName":"Mirza²","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-13 22:08:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-026-04008-8","type":"published","date":"2026-03-12T15:59:37+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":94638864,"identity":"595bd173-5e6e-4501-99c7-5d612ea79df7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-29 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":479070,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eOCTA image showing SCP VD measurement\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7115530/v1/88547543538a470fbaf06f87.jpg"},{"id":94638870,"identity":"b98063f4-68cb-4897-bfd6-2da241c1cb82","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-29 07:31:18","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":171175,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFAZ field measurement\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7115530/v1/29a3f1fc80617404a43e9062.jpg"},{"id":104740829,"identity":"7b759555-8eff-4f72-b1b0-7f8e051868b2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-16 16:19:13","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1415180,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7115530/v1/25146dda-8c68-4156-b0f0-05971f0f4f98.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Analysis of Optic Nerve and Macula Microvasculature in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003ePolycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative stem cell disease characterized by excessive production of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Factors such as increased hematocrit (Hct) levels, thrombocytosis, impaired fibrinolytic activity, and platelet and leukocyte activation contribute to the formation of thrombosis. The disease is diagnosed according to the 2016 World Health Organization criteria [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Thrombosis is the main cause of disease-related morbidity and mortality in PV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Microcirculatory disorders can cause visual problems such as scintillating scotomas, transient vision loss (amaurosis fugax), cilioretinal artery occlusion, and ophthalmic migraine [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. Previous studies have shown that narrowing of the retinal arteries and dilatation of the retinal veins affect retinal microcirculation in PV patients [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, retinal and choroidal blood flow have been shown to slow down in fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a method that can noninvasively image the vascular network structures in the retina and choroid. OCTA records erythrocyte movements using multiple B-scans and allows detailed examination of retinal vascular structures. It separates the retina into layers, allowing imaging of the superficial, deep retinal vascular plexus, and choriocapillary plexus and provides quantitative measurement data [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to evaluate the optic nerve head and macular microvasculature of PV patients using OCTA.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine (decision numbered 2022/3885, dated 01.07.2022). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and their families.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e This prospective clinical study was conducted with PV patients who applied to the Ophthalmology Polyclinic of Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine Hospital for eye examination between July 2022 and June 2023 and followed up in the hematology clinic according to the specified criteria. Data from one eye of each PV patient group and healthy control group were evaluated.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe patients detailed ophthalmologic examination, hemogram, biochemical tests (albumin, total protein), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA images were examined. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with Snellen letter chart, intraocular pressure with non-contact tonometer, biomicroscopic and fundoscopic examinations, OCT and OCTA measurements were performed within the scope of clinical ophthalmologic examinations. During the examinations, 5 mL of venous blood samples were taken into a plastic gel tube and 3 mL into an EDTA tube from the antecubital region. The hemogram was tested in the biochemistry laboratory using an automatic blood cell analyzer (Pentra 120 Retik\u0026reg;, ABX, Montpellier, France), while the biochemical parameters were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer 7600\u0026ndash;120 (Hitachi High Technologies, Japan).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe PV group included patients over 18 years of age, with a spherical equivalent value between +\u0026thinsp;4.0 D and \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4.0 D, no signs of ocular disease, and diagnosed with PV. The control group included healthy volunteers. Participants with any optic disc (OD) and/or retinal pathology (OD anomalies, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, epiretinal membrane, ocular trauma history, etc.) that could affect OCTA measurements were excluded from the study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOCT evaluations were performed using a SD-OCT device (Spectralis\u0026reg;, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). The macula was automatically measured in nine different quadrants by the software.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOCTA measurements were performed with both 4.5 x 4.5 mm optic disc HD angiography and 6 x 6 mm HD angiography retinal scans. The imaging areas were automatically determined and analyzed by the device software (Optovue, Version 2018.1.0.37). OCTA imaging was done with a commercial system (AngioVue RTVue XR, Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe separation of the superficial and deep vascular layers of the retina into quadrants was performed automatically by the device's own software. For the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), vascular density (VD) measurements were taken in the fovea, parafovea, perifovea, superior half, inferior half and the entire area in the macula region. The parafovea and perifovea areas were divided into superior, inferior, temporal and nasal quadrants. The central region of the macula with a diameter of 1 mm was designated as the fovea, the surrounding 3 mm diameter ring as the parafoveal area, and the outer 3\u0026ndash;6 mm diameter ring as the perifoveal area. Foveal avascular zone area (FAZ) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2) and choriocapillaris flow area (mm\u0026sup2;) measurements in a 1 mm radius area were performed automatically by the device software. VD in the optic nerve head was automatically calculated for the 750 \u0026micro;m wide peripapillary region with the AngioVue OCTA device. The density values ​​in the peripapillary area, total, inner disc, peripapillary, upper half field, lower half field, temporal superior, temporal inferior, nasal superior, and nasal inferior areas were automatically calculated by the device.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStatistical analyses\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eData were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 18.0 package. In descriptive analyses, frequency data were given as number (n) and percentage (%), and numerical data were given as arithmetic mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation (SD). The conformity of numerical data to normal distribution was examined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The distribution of numerical data in two independent groups showing normal distribution was evaluated using the independent groups t-test, and the distribution of numerical data not showing normal distribution was evaluated using the Mann Whitney U test in two independent groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between two numerical data not showing normal distribution. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Correlation relationship r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05\u0026ndash;0.30 was accepted as low or insignificant correlation, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.30\u0026ndash;0.40 as low-moderate correlation, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.40\u0026ndash;0.60 as moderate correlation, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.60\u0026ndash;0.70 as good correlation, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.70\u0026ndash;0.75 as a very good correlation, and r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.75-1.00 as perfect correlation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study included 30 patients (PV group) and 27 healthy participants (control group) who met the specified criteria. The distribution of age, gender and hematological parameters of the study participants is presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. No significant difference were found in terms of age, gender and BCVA between the patient and control groups (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.320, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.093, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.805, respectively). Hb and Hct levels were significantly higher in the PV group compared to the control group (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistribution of gender, age, visual acuity, and hematological parameters in the PV and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (%30.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (%70.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (%51.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (%48.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.819*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.093\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge (years)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.993**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.320\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHb (g/dl)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.655**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHct (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.344***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlbumin (g/dl)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.051***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.045\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal Protein (g/dl)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.558***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.125\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBCVA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.243***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.805\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eData are presented as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e Pearson Chi-square test; \u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test; \u003cb\u003e***\u003c/b\u003e Independent samples t-test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe distribution of OCT results is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. From the OCT values, it was determined that the mean central (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.016) and nasal parafoveal (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.018) thickness were significantly higher in the PV group compared to the control group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistribution of OCT results in patient and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOCT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral macular thickness (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e275.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;21.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e264.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.407*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.016\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal parafovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e335.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e328.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.004**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.050\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior parafovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e351.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e343.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.915**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.061\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal Parafovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e350.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e340.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.445**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.018\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior Parafovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e346.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e337.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.955**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.056\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal perifovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e289.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;16.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e287.030\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.549**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.586\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior perifovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e301.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e299.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.482**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.632\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal perifovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e321.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e320.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.168**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior perifovea (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e295.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e296.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.297**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.768\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eValues are presented as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e* Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test; ** Independent samples t-test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe distribution of SCP VD (%) measurement results in the patient and control groups is shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. Inferior hemifield VD value was found to be lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.015). In parafoveal area temporal, superior and inferior VD values ​​were significantly lower in the PV group compared to control group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.044, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.042, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.020, respectively). Moreover, inferior VD value in perifoveal area was found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to control group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.043).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eComparison of SCP VD (%) between patient and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSCP VD (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal area\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.647*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.271*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.204\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.522**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.015\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.592**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.556\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParafovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.014*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.044\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.087**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.042\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.687*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.092\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.404**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.020\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParafovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.878*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.060\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.794**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.078\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.631**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.530\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.823**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.074\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.071**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.043\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.723**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.091\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eValues are presented as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e* Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test; ** Independent samples t-test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe distributions of DCP VD measurement results in the patient and control groups are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. No significant difference was observed between foveal VD values ​​(p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.384). VD values ​​in all other areas were found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 for all).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eComparison of DCP VD (%) between the patient and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDCP VD (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal area\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.472*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.208*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.002\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eİnferior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.699*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.879*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.384\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParafovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.169*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.002\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.836*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.621*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.334*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParafovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.257*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.593*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.605**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.012\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.857*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.006\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.792*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.741**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.008\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eValues are presented as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e* Independent Samples T-Test, ** Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U Test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe distribution of radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) VD measurement results is presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e. Peripapillary and nasal superior VD values ​​were significantly lower in the PV group compared to the control group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.007, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.004, respectively).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRPCP VD (%) values in the patient and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRPCP VD (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep- value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal area\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.858*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInner disc\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.537*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.593\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeripapillary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.823*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.007\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.174**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.245\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.742**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.081\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal superior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.017*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.004\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal inferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.983**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.326\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal inferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.142*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.258\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal superior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.172*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.246\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eValues are presented as Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Standard Deviation\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e*: Independent Samples T-Test, **: Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U Test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was no significant difference in the distribution of FAZ area (mm\u0026sup2;) and choriocapillaris flow area (mm\u0026sup2;) between the patient and control groups (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFAZ area and choriocapillaris flow area measurements in the PV and control groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTest value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaz area (mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.901*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.372\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoriocapillaris flow area (mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.208**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.835\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eData are presented as Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;Standard Deviation.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e*: Independent Samples T-Test, **: Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U Test\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe relationship between Hct level and DCP and RPCP VD measurement results is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e. Negative low to moderate correlations were found between Hct level and mean DCP VD measurements in the superior, inferior and nasal parafoveal quadrants and in the parafoveal (r = -0.304; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.022, r = -0.337; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.010, r = -0.347; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.008, r = -0.327; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.013, respectively). A low level significant positive correlation was observed with the foveal area (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.264; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.048).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorrelation between Hct and DCP VD and RPCP VD measurements\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"15\" rowspan=\"16\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDCP VD (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHematocrit\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003er*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal area\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.135\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.182\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.176\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.216\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.107\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.264\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.048\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eParafovea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.248\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.062\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.304\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.022\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.347\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.008\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.337\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.010\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParafovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.327\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.013\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerifovea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.289\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.029\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.073\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.588\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.178\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.185\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.188\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.161\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerifovea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.122\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.366\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"8\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRPCP VD (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal area\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.452\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInner disc\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.021\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.877\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeripapillary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.514\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.261\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.050\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInferior half\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.416\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal superior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.499\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasal ınferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.346\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.008\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal inferior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.204\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.127\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemporal superior\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.355\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.007\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e*: Pearson correlation coefficient\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNegative significant correlations were found between Hct level and RPCP VD measurements in various quadrants. A moderately significant correlation was found in the whole area, peripapillary, inferior half and nasal superior quadrants (r = -0.452; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, r = -0.514; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, r = -0.416; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001, r = -0.499; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, respectively). These findings indicate that Hct level may influence retinal and peripapillary VD.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003ePV is characterized with erythrocytosis, increased Hct levels, and increased blood viscosity [9]. Thrombosis is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in PV. Factors causing thrombosis include platelet activation and increase, leukocyte activation, damage to the vascular endothelium, increased blood viscosity, and increased Hct levels. Thrombotic events may include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), Budd-Chiari syndrome, splanchnic vein thrombosis, stroke, and arterial thrombosis [10].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOcular symptoms and signs in PV disease occur mainly because of hyperviscosity and thrombosis resulting from high Hct levels. The JAK2V617F mutation leads to a thrombogenic state that increases the adhesion of erythrocytes to endothelial cells, increasing the risk of thrombosis and vaso-occlusion, which may cause inadequate perfusion of retinal vessels [11]. These disruptions in microcirculation cause vascular occlusive ocular complications such as amaurosis fugax and cilioretinal artery occlusion. In addition, various ocular vascular complications such as central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal ischemia, and neovascularization have been reported in the literature [6, 12, 13].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOCTA is a fast, noninvasive, and reproducible imaging method that visualizes vascular structures in detail by detecting the contrast of blood flow in the posterior segment vessels [14]. This technique offers significant advantages for the diagnosis, pathogenesis and quantitative research of diseases, especially by imaging the superficial, RPCP and deep capillary complex layers. It also provides great opportunities for the development and evaluation of new treatment methods [15, 16]. Studies have shown that OCTA can effectively visualize microvascular changes in conditions such as choroidal neovascularization, retinal vascular occlusions, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. [17,18]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our study, central macular thickness and nasal parafovea quadrant measurements from OCT quadrants were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were found in the distribution of other OCT results. In their study with PV patients, Bilen et al. [19] found that the central macular thickness value measured by OCT was higher in the patient group compared to the control group, although not significantly. OCT data from other quadrants were not included in their study. The macula is the region most prone to edema development due to its anatomical features. The high number of cells and metabolic activity in this region, and the low rate of extracellular absorption due to the presence of FAZ are among the predisposing factors [20, 21]. Damage to ion pumps in the cell membrane due to hypoxia leads to the development of edema within the cell. Free radicals and toxins released secondary to cell death cause damage to the blood-retinal barrier [22]. In our study, the increase in thickness observed in OCT values in the patient group could be the result of ischemia due to arterial and venous spasm. We also think that ischemia may lead to an increase in macular thickness due to both edema development at the cellular level and disruption of the blood-retinal barrier.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our study, SCP VD values were found to be significantly lower in the patient group in the parafoveal temporal, superior, inferior quadrants, inferior perifovea and inferior hemifield. In the OCTA study conducted by Akdoğan et al. [23] with 30 PV patients, they found that SCP foveal VD values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. However, they did not see a significant difference in the whole field, perifoveal, and parafoveal areas. In the OCTA study of PV patients by Bilen et al. [19], it was reported that SCP whole field and parafoveal VD values were significantly higher in the control group.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our study, we found that DCP VD values were significantly lower in the patient group in all quadrants except the fovea. In the study conducted by Bilen et al. [19], DCP values were higher in the control group, but this difference was not significant.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the FFA study by Yang et al. [7] on PV patients with temporary vision loss, it was observed that choroidal filling time and artery-vein transit time were significantly prolonged in PV group compared to the control group. After treatment, the symptoms regressed, and choroidal filling time and artery-vein transit time reached normal values. In our study, the slowing of blood flow velocity due to hyperviscosity may have caused the measured VD values to be significantly lower in the patient group.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe saw that VD values in the entire area as well as peripapillary and nasal superior quadrants of the RPCP were significantly lower in the PV group. We found a negative moderate correlation between Hct level and RPCP VD values in the entire area, peripapillary, inferior half and nasal superior quadrants. This data strengthened our hypothesis that blood flow slowdown and ischemia developed due to hyperviscosity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur study has some limitations. No distinction was made between those who received phlebotomy or cytoreductive treatment in the patient group. The patient population included in the study was small. Larger scale clinical studies are needed to support our findings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn summary, we found that central and nasal parafoveal macular thickness increased in PV patients, DCP VD value decreased in all quadrants except fovea, VD value decreased in SCP parafoveal and perifoveal quadrants, RPCP peripapillary, and nasal superior quadrants, and that there was a negative correlation between Hct level and DCP and RPCP VD values in many quadrants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, the number of OCTA studies conducted with PV patients are limited. OCTA detects erythrocyte movements and allows the noninvasive examination of retinal vascular density. By using OCTA, we had the opportunity to evaluate microvascular changes in detail in PV patients and observed that VD rates decreased due to hyperviscosity in PV patients. We determined that many retinal parameters decreased compared to normal values due to slow blood flow and development of ischemia. Larger scale studies are needed to examine the retinal vascular complications seen in PV patients.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study.EE and MO contributed to data acquisition.EE contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data.EE, MO, and EM drafted the manuscript.All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLu X, Chang R (2024) Polycythemia vera. In: StatPearls [Internet]. 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Optical coherence tomography angiography versus traditional multimodal imaging in assessing the activity of exudative age-related macular degeneration: A new diagnostic challenge. \u003cem\u003eRetina\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e35\u003c/em\u003e(11), 2219\u0026ndash;2228. https://doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000000766\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBayraktar Bilen N, Aydin MS, Polat G\u0026uuml;ltekin B, Dağdaş S, Ceran F, Kalaycı D, \u0026Ouml;zet G (2022) Assessment of optic disc and macula of polycythemia vera patients by optical coherence tomography angiography. Firat Med J 27(1):11\u0026ndash;15.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScholl S, Kirchhof J, Augustin AJ (2010) Pathophysiology of macular edema. Ophthalmologica 224(Suppl 1):8\u0026ndash;15. https://doi.org/10.1159/000315155\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCunha-Vaz J (2017) Mechanisms of retinal fluid accumulation and blood-retinal barrier breakdown. Dev Ophthalmol 58:11\u0026ndash;20. https://doi.org/10.1159/000455265\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKohli P, Tripathy K, Patel BC (2024) Macular edema. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. [Updated 2024 Apr 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576396/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAkdoğan M, Doğan M, Gobeka HH, Şabaner MC, Elizade A, Yavaşoğlu F (2022) Optical coherence tomography angiographic assessment of polycythaemia vera-related retinal microvascular morphological changes: A cross-sectional case-control study. Turk Klinikleri J Ophthalmol 31(3):152\u0026ndash;157. https://doi.org/10.5336/ophthal.2022-88447\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-ophthalmology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"inte","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Ophthalmology](https://www.springer.com/journal/10792)","snPcode":"10792","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10792/3","title":"International Ophthalmology","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Hyperviscosity, optical coherence tomography angiography, polycythemia vera, vascular density","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eObjective\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe aimed to investigate the microvascular structure of the macula and optic nerve head in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMaterials and Methods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThirty patients with no systemic disease other than PV and 27 healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 were included in the study. The patients underwent a detailed ophthalmologic evaluation including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure measurement with a non-contact tonometer, anterior segment and fundus examination with a biomicroscope, OCT and OCTA measurements, as well as blood tests. Data from one eye of each study participant was evaluated.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the macula, superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vascular density (VD) (%) values ​​were found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group in the inferior half (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.015), superior (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.042), temporal (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.044) and inferior (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.020) areas of the parafovea and in the inferior area of ​​the perifovea (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.043). Deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD values ​​were lower in the patient group compared to the control group in the whole area (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001), superior half (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.002), inferior half (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001), parafovea (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and perifovea (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.008). When radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) VD values ​​from the optic disc were investigated, significantly lower values ​​were observed in the peripapillary (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.007) and nasal superior (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.004) quadrants in the patient group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe significantly lower SCP, DCP and RPCP VD values in the patient group may be related to increased blood viscosity, microcirculatory disorders, and ischemia in PV patients. In particular, the slowdown of retinal and choriocapillary circulation due to hyperviscosity may be considered as the basic mechanism explaining the decrease in VD values.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Analysis of Optic Nerve and Macula Microvasculature in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-29 07:31:13","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7115530/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-11-26T11:50:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-11-10T18:23:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-21T08:48:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"145861442658693043060658100864590577580","date":"2025-10-18T18:30:32+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-15T19:43:00+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"163438115555913788316131401945343989165","date":"2025-10-15T10:42:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"30702524212130187702112247591414970049","date":"2025-10-15T09:16:55+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-10-15T09:10:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-16T03:35:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-16T03:35:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"International Ophthalmology","date":"2025-07-13T22:02:25+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-ophthalmology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"inte","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Ophthalmology](https://www.springer.com/journal/10792)","snPcode":"10792","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10792/3","title":"International Ophthalmology","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"23ca38b7-4271-4c45-b96a-2347a11796f2","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 29th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-16T16:16:51+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7115530","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-026-04008-8","journal":{"identity":"international-ophthalmology","isVorOnly":false,"title":"International Ophthalmology"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-12 15:59:37","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 12th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-29 07:31:13","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s10792-026-04008-8","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-026-04008-8","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7115530","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7115530","identity":"rs-7115530","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}