Association of retinal vessel attenuation with visual function in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa.

Abstract

[Purpose]: To investigate the association between visual changes and retinal vessel attenuation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). [Design]: A retrospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study. [Methods]: We analyzed 45 eyes from 45 subjects who were followed-up for ≥3 years at our clinic. Using the computer-based Interactive Vessel Analysis program, central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) were determined. Age- and sex-matched controls from normal subjects were selected from our archived fundus photograph library. Visual acuity, visual field area (Goldmann perimetry, V4e white test light), mean deviation (Humphrey perimetry, central 10-2 program), and central macular thickness (optical coherence tomography) were analyzed for correlations with CRAE and CRVE. [Results]: Both CRAE and CRVE were significantly decreased in RP eyes (94.9±13.5 µm and 155.6±20.0 µm, respectively) compared with control eyes (138.1±14.7 µm and 215.0±20.4 µm, respectively, both P<0.001). After 3 years of follow-up, visual field area was associated with both CRAE (r=0.584, P<0.01) and CRVE (r=0.500, P=0.008). A significant association was also observed between mean deviation and CRAE (r=0.298,P=0.047). In eyes with RP, a narrower vessel caliber at baseline was associated with a larger decline in visual acuity over the 3-year follow-up interval (CRAE: r=-0.344,P=0.021; CRVE: r=-0.314, P=0.035). [Conclusion]: Retinal vessel caliber is associated with some visual functions in patients with RP.