Evaluation of macular perfusion in patients with treatment-naive overt hypothyroidism using optical coherence tomography angiography

Background/Aim: Thyroid hormones play an essential role in retinal development and physiological functions. Although the effects of hyperthyroidism on ocular circulation are well-defined, no studies report clinical hypothyroidism choroidal circulation. We aimed to compare macular vessel density flow indexes patients with treatment-naive healthy controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: This case-control study included 104 eyes 52 participants. Group 1 (n=24) consisted overt hypothyroidism, while 2 (n=28) age sex-matched controls. Images were obtained AngioVue software 2.0 OCTA device a 6 × mm area centered macula. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, thickness, FAZ perimeter (PERIM), index (CF), outer (ORF) (VD) superficial (SCP) deep capillary plexus (DCP) recorded for all patients. Results: The whole [Group 1: 49.9 (7.0)%; 2: 54.6 (5.9)%], parafoveal 54.7 (4.8)%; 58.6 (3.9)%] perifoveal 51.5 (7.2)%; 55.9 (6.8)% ] VD DCP significantly lower compared (P=0.012; P=0.002 P=0.028 respectively). However, SCP was higher [52.4 (2.26)] than [49.9 (6.87)] (P=0.032). mean positively correlated (P=0.021) (P=0.033). foveal (P<0.001), (P=0.001) thicknesses (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our has provided, first time, quantitative assessment perfusion OCTA. reduction might be attributed lack angiogenic T4 or neural hypometabolism secondary hypothyroidism.