Non-invasive imaging of retinal microcirculation, with established clinical indications and possible applications in vascular and neurodegenerative risk assessment.
OCT angiography (OCT-A) is a technique that visualizes and measures retinal and choroidal microcirculation without intravenous contrast. It provides quantitative parameters of vascular density and perfusion in different retinal plexuses.
Key aspects evaluated by OCT-A, described in a clinical and non-promotional language.
Layer-by-layer visualization of retinal vascular plexuses (superficial, deep, foveal avascular zone). It allows objective documentation of rarefaction, microaneurysms and ischemic areas.
Supports diagnosis and follow-up of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein and artery occlusions and other microvascular retinal diseases.
Retinal vascular density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size are under investigation as potential biomarkers of systemic microangiopathy and overall cardiovascular risk.
In patient cohorts with different cardiovascular risk, reduced retinal perfusion on OCT-A is associated with systemic markers of atherosclerosis and with more advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease.
Peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular ganglion cell complex, measured with structural OCT, are being studied as early indicators of cerebral neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementias).
From a “visual longevity” perspective, OCT-A combined with structural OCT can contribute to evaluating retinal microcirculation and neuroretinal reserve, without claiming to predict or prevent systemic diseases on its own.
The patient places chin and forehead on the device and looks at a fixation target for a few seconds. Acquisition usually takes 1-2 minutes for both eyes, uses no ionizing radiation or intravenous contrast and allows immediate return to daily activities.
The exam is prescribed by the ophthalmologist as part of a complete clinical evaluation. In Eye Longevity pathways , OCT-A may be proposed, when appropriate, as an in-depth assessment of ocular microcirculation in patients with vascular risk factors or family history of neurodegenerative disease.
OCT-A does not replace cardiologic, neurologic or internal medicine investigations and cannot by itself diagnose or exclude systemic diseases. Available data suggest that some retinal microvascular changes may reflect systemic vascular and neurodegenerative conditions. In this setting, the exam can be integrated, with caution, into personalized prevention programmes built together with the patient’s physicians.
OCT-A usually takes 5–10 minutes, does not require fasting or drug suspension and, unless otherwise indicated, can often be performed without pharmacologic pupil dilation. For organisational details, time slots and fees, please refer to the booking page.
Information and appointmentsOCT-A is an ophthalmic diagnostic test. Possible associations between retinal parameters and vascular or neurodegenerative risk derive from observational studies and do not in themselves define diagnoses or treatments. All clinical decisions belong to the attending physician within a personalised evaluation.
Eye Longevity pathways are based in Faenza and are available also for patients from the wider Romagna area (Ravenna, Imola, Forlì, Castel San Pietro Terme and neighbouring districts), in collaboration with their usual physicians.
Faenza · Ravenna · Imola · Forlì · Castel San Pietro Terme · Romagna