ReviewClinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)2026
Relationship Between Foveal Avascular Zone Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Visual Acuity in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review.
Review in Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of vision loss, with early microvascular changes often preceding visual deterioration. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows non-invasive imaging of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), a potential biomarker for visual function. However, the association between FAZ metrics and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remains unclear. Prior studies have reported variable findings regarding the diagnostic relevance of FAZ parameters, partly attributable to differences in OCTA imaging techniques, segmentation strategies, and analytic methodologies. Purpose: To systematically review the association between OCTA-derived FAZ parameters (area, perimeter, and circularity) and BCVA in patients with DR. Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, EbscoHost, and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched through April 2025. Studies were eligible if they examined the relationship between FAZ metrics and BCVA in diabetic patients using quantitative analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. A narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Six studies (1 prospective cohort and 5 cross-sectional) involving 651 diabetic and 100 control eyes were included. FAZ area, particularly in the deep vascular plexus (DVP), showed the strongest and most consistent negative correlation with BCVA. In contrast, FAZ circularity and perimeter demonstrated weak and inconsistent associations with visual acuity. Heterogeneity in OCTA devices, scan protocols, study design, and outcome measurements limited meta-analysis. Conclusion: FAZ area, particularly in the DVP, shows the most consistent association with visual acuity in DR, while circularity and perimeter demonstrate variable and limited standalone value. However, current evidence is limited by methodological variability and high heterogeneity across studies. Standardization of study methods, OCTA acquisition, and segmentation are essential to enable reliable translational and clinical application of FAZ-based biomarkers. Hybrid, multimodal, and artificial intelligence-based approaches may enhance future longitudinal prediction models.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.