Unveiling the hidden: a deep learning approach to unraveling subzone-specific changes in peripapillary atrophy in type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) changes in subzones of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) among type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) using well-designed deep learning models.

METHODS

A multi-task joint deep-learning model was trained and validated on 2,820 images to automate the determination and quantification of the microstructure and corresponding microcirculation of beta zone and gamma zone PPA. This model was then applied in the cross-sectional study encompassing 44 eyes affected by non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and 46 eyes without DR (NDR). OCTA was utilized to image the peripapillary area in four layers: superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choroidal capillary (CC) and middle-to-large choroidal vessel (MLCV).

RESULTS

The patients in both groups were matched for age, sex, BMI, and axial length. The width and area of the gamma zone were significantly smaller in NPDR group compared to the NDR group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a negative association between the diagnosis of DR and the width and area of the gamma zone. The gamma zone exhibited higher SCP, DCP and MLCV density than the beta zone, while the beta zone showed higher CC density than the gamma zone. In comparison to the NDR group, the MLCV density of gamma zone was significantly lower in NPDR group, and this density was positively correlated with the width and area of the gamma zone.

DISCUSSION

DR-induced peripapillary vascular changes primarily occur in gamma zone PPA. After eliminating the influence of axial length, our study demonstrated a negative correlation between DR and the gamma zone PPA. Longitudinal studies are required to further elucidate the role of the gamma zone in the development and progression of DR.