Oxidative stress and optical coherence tomography angiography evaluation of choriocapillaris and retinal vessel density in children with obstructive sleep apnea

Objectives To investigate the vascular networks of the retina and choroid using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to identify early biomarkers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and to evaluate correlations with blood levels of oxidative stress. Study design Patients with OSA were diagnosed based on video-polysomnography (PSG) and blood samples were collected to evaluate oxidative stress markers: total antioxidant status (TAS), biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test, Diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test. The eyes of children with OSA were evaluated and compared with eyes of healthy age-matched children. OCTA imaging was carried out to evaluate the choroidal and retinal vascular network density indices. Results A total of 31 children with OSA were recruited and compared with 10 healthy children. Choriocapillaris flow area decreased ( p = 0.006) and superficial capillary plexus vessel density increased ( p =0.01) with increasing severity of OSA. Children with OSA showed significant differences in TAS and d-ROMs test when compared to normal pediatric values ( p <0.05). In calculating the correlations between PSG, oxidative stress, and OCTA variables, there was a negative correlation between choriocapillaris flow area and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ( p = 0.02, r 2 −0.5) and between choriocapillaris flow area and the d-ROMs test ( p 0.03; r 2 0.5). Conclusions The severity of OSA was associated with the choroidal and retinal capillary vascular networks. The correlation of the choriocapillaris flow area with AHI and the d-ROMs test indicates the connection of the choroidal microvasculature with the number of obstructive apnea and hypopnea events and oxidative stress.