Table 2

Comparison between ETDRS levels using PlexElite 15×9 mm protocol

MetricAcq. protocolAreaHealthyETDRS10ETDRS20ETDRS35ETDRS43ETDRS47-53
Vessel density
SCP, mm−1
PlexElite
15 mm × 9 mm
Inner ring (5. 10)°26.2±5.923.2±7.30.15021.3±8.60.05322.1±4.8 0.000 18.2±10.0 0.003 22.9±5.10.023
Outer ring (10. 21)°29.1±4.526.1±6.20.03025.3±7.30.11026.3±3.5 0.000 22.4±8.1 0.001 27.0±4.70.063
Extended 1 (21. 31)°28.2±3.125.5±5.80.05126.1±5.50.33326.9±2.9 0.016 23.7±6.5 0.004 26.9±3.10.108
Extended 2 (31. 42)°23.2±2.420.7±5.60.15021.3±4.60.20021.8±3.30.06319.6±5.0 0.005 21.0±2.7 0.014
Extended 3 (42. 52)°16.7±3.716.2±6.40.92216.1±6.30.85716.9±4.00.91913.7±6.10.13415.1±3.00.114
Vessel density
DCP, mm−1
PlexElite
15 mm × 9 mm
Inner ring (5. 10)°23.8±7.519.9±8.20.09717.9±10.50.05320.5±6.0 0.013 16.7±10.4 0.016 19.5±6.2 0.014
Outer ring (10. 21)°24.9±7.220.8±9.30.11819.4±10.60.07920.8±6.5 0.011 16.7±10.1 0.007 19.4±5.4 0.005
Extended 1 (21. 31)°22.4±6.718.6±9.30.16418.1±9.70.22418.5±6.4 0.017 14.4±8.5 0.003 15.8±5.0 0.001
Extended 2 (31. 42)°20.6±6.017.5±9.00.35417.0±9.30.24217.1±6.30.06013.4±7.8 0.007 13.6±4.9 0.000
Extended 3 (42. 52)°17.3±7.015.5±9.30.64315.0±9.30.44414.9±6.70.26911.2±7.3 0.014 10.0±4.0 0.001
Vessel density
FR, mm−1
PlexElite
15 mm × 9 mm
Inner ring (5. 10)°30.8±6.427.3±8.20.06725.2±10.20.01927.7±5.2 0.000 22.4±11.7 0.003 28.0±5.3 0.013
Outer ring (10. 21)°32.3±4.729.1±7.30.01928.0±8.10.03830.1±3.9 0.000 25.0±9.7 0.001 30.3±4.70.027
Extended 1 (21. 31)°31.0±3.527.6±6.70.02028.2±6.30.20029.5±3.4 0.014 25.2±7.9 0.001 28.7±3.2 0.006
Extended 2 (31. 42)°27.2±3.324.1±6.90.15024.2±5.90.10525.5±4.10.08222.2±6.4 0.003 23.5±3.4 0.001
Extended 3 (42. 52)°20.9±4.820.2±7.60.88418.9±8.20.65320.6±5.30.90916.6±7.30.06417.5±3.60.020
Thickness
GCL+IPL, µm
PlexElite
15mm × 9mm
Inner ring (5. 10)°91.5±7.288.6±10.50.40790.6±9.10.87587.7±9.30.15187.0±13.20.39985.9±9.10.059
Outer ring (10. 21)°62.0±4.360.5±5.80.43564.2±5.90.30162.7±5.60.70361.7±7.50.98161.6±6.90.980
Extended 1 (21. 31)°43.7±3.844.0±3.60.67845.1±4.10.32245.0±3.30.14745.0±6.50.77945.5±4.90.177
Extended 2 (31. 42)°41.0±4.143.8±5.90.15042.5±3.70.16344.3±4.4 0.003 43.8±8.10.22341.5±5.10.799
Extended 3 (42. 52)°35.3±3.135.4±5.10.54237.4±6.20.19237.1±3.10.05836.3±6.20.87037.6±5.10.161
  • Data is presented as mean±SD.

  • Vessel density and GCL+IPL thickness values were calculated using Zeiss PlexElite MultiLayer segmentation algorithm. Comparisons between diabetic individuals and healthy controls were performed using Mann-Whitney U-test. Bonferroni correction was applied to vessel density comparisons setting the statistical significance to p<0.0167, otherwise p<0.05. Statistical significance highlighted in bold and in grey cells.

  • DCP, deep capillary plexus; FR, full retina; GCL+IPL, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer; SCP, superficial capillary plexus.