Retinal Microvascularization in OCT-angiography and Systemic Diseases

Systemic diseases are inflammatory, chronic illnesses affecting different organs and altering their function. At present, there are few non-invasive methods for predicting their onset and progression. Some chronic diseases can be anticipated earlier thanks to predictive indicators. These indicators could help doctors decide which treatment is best suited to each patient. In particular, the state of microcirculation in the eyes, specifically in the retina, is linked to the progression of certain diseases in the body. Unfortunately, assessing the health of the small blood vessels in the retina is complicated. Most current methods are imprecise, difficult to reproduce and require qualified specialists. However, the use of retinal microcirculation appears to be a promising approach to solving these problems. In fact, the structure of retinal blood vessels can be observed easily, painlessly and without invasive procedures, thanks to fundus photographs or scans providing imaging slices known as optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A). The vascularization of the retina is very often presented as a window giving access to the peripheral vascularization (the vascularization of other organs distant from the eyes). For example, we recently demonstrated a link between retinal vascularization and the risk of heart problems in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to gather original information on the evolution of retinal vascularization, using specific markers that may be associated with damage to distant organs. By regularly monitoring these changes over time, the researchers hope to identify early changes that could indicate the development or evolution of these diseases. The main aim of this study is to create a database of images obtained by OCT-Angiography in patients with systemic diseases and in healthy individuals. This will enable us to identify early changes in retinal vascularization that may be associated with these systemic pathologies. With this information, we hope to improve early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, which could have a positive impact on patients\' health.