Influence of refractive condition on retinal vasculature complexity in younger subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the retinal vasculature complexity between emmetropia, and myopia in younger subjects.


METHODS
A total of 82 patients (24.12 ± 1.25 years) with two types of refractive conditions, myopia and emmetropia were enrolled in this study. Refraction data were converted to spherical equivalent refraction. These retinal images (right eyes) were obtained from NAVIS Lite Image Filing System and the vasculature complexity was measured by fractal dimension (D f ), quantified using a computer software following a standardized protocol.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the value of D f between emmetropic (1.5666 ± 0.0160) and myopic (1.5588 ± 0.0142) groups. A positive correlation (rho = 0.260, P < 0.05) between the D f and the spherical equivalent refraction was detected in this study. Using a linear model, it was estimated that 6.7% of the variation in D f could be explained by spherical equivalent refraction.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides valuable findings about the effect of moderate to high myopia on the fractal dimension of the retinal vasculature network. These results show that myopic refraction in younger subjects was associated with a decrease in D f , suggesting a loss of retinal vessel density with moderate to high myopia.
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Mohd Zulfaezal Che
0000-0001-5496-0822
MZ
Azemin
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Norsyazwani Mohamad
NM
Daud
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Fadilah
F
Ab Hamid
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Ilyanoon
I
Zahari
Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Abdul Halim
0000-0002-2384-8771
AH
Sapuan
D000328:Adult; D058453:Emmetropia / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult