The following is a summary of “Investigating the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Macular and Peripapillary Vessel Density in Obese Individuals without Metabolic Disease,” published in the May 2024 issue of Ophthalmology by Toptan et al.
The impact of bariatric surgery on microvascular structures in individuals who were obese without metabolic disease remains underexplored despite well-established microvascular complications in obesity with metabolic issues.
Researchers conducted a prospective study assessing macular and peripapillary vessel density (PVD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) post-surgery.
They studied 96 eyes from 48 patients who were obese, measuring BMI, macular vessel density in superficial, intermediate, and deep capillary plexus, and PVD. Measurements were taken before and 6 months after bariatric surgery to assess the impact on microvascular structures.
The results showed that post-surgery, BMI significantly decreased from 55.31±5.1 kg/m2 preoperatively to 43.75±4.4 kg/m2 (P<0.05). Macular vessel density notably increased in the deep capillary plexus (P<0.01), while superficial and intermediate plexus density remained unchanged postoperatively (P>0.05). The PVD showed no significant change (P>0.05). The foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal retinal layers thickened significantly (P<0.001). The BMI change did not correlate with vessel density changes (P>0.05).
Investigators concluded that bariatric surgery boosted macular vascular density, especially in the deep capillary plexus, and thickened retinal layers in individuals with obesity and no metabolic disease, indicating microvascular improvements independent of metabolic issues.
Source: karger.com/ore/article/doi/10.1159/000539103/907079/Investigating-the-Impact-of-Bariatric-Surgery-on
