Assessment of Changes in Vascular Density in the Layers of the Eye in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background The retina is affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). Purpose We aimed to assess the anatomical and vascular deterioration of the retina in PD. Methods Sixty-six patients with PD and 66 healthy volunteers were evaluated in this study. Choriocapillaris vessel density (CCVD), superficial vascular density (SVD), deep vascular densities (DVD), central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglionic cell layer (GCL), and choroidal thickness (CT) were assessed. Results RNFL, GCL, CMT, and CT were thinner than in HC, and also the differences between the groups were statistically significant ( P < .05). SVD and DVD were not statistically different between the groups ( P > .05). There was a decrease in vascular density in all quadrants of the choriocapillary layer. The decrease in vascular density was statistically significant in the nasal, inferior and central quadrants ( P < .05). Conclusion These results supported vascular thinning in the choroidal layer. Also showed that vascular and neural layers were affected together. It could help clinicians in the follow-up of Parkinson’s patients.