Abstract: Objective To assess the characteristics of the macular retinal capillaries in focal choroidal excavation (FCE) patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Design Case-control study. Participants From January 2023 to April 2024, 26 eyes of focal choroidal excavation patients diagnosed in Beijing Tongren Hospital and 27 healthy people of 27 eyes were included. Methods All subjects underwent OCTA examination with 6 mm×6 mm scans in the macular region, include the macular foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, perimeter and vessel density (VD), as well as the VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions. The data from FCE eyes (study group) and the control eyes (control group) were compared using independent-samples t test. Main Outcome Measures FAZ area, perimeter and VD, the VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions. Results The FAZ area, perimeter and VD of study group were (0.36±0.17) mm2, (2.31±0.53) mm and （53.74±6.22）%. The FAZ area, perimeter and VD of control group were (0.32±0.11) mm2, (2.17±0.38) mm and （54.58±4.69）%. No significant differences were seen in FAZ area, perimeter and VD (P=0.402, 0.443, 0.283). The VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions in superficial retina of study group were（16.74±7.54）%，（51.15±4.79）% and（47.22±4.39）%. The VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions in deep retina of study group were（44.78±4.94）%，（37.08±9.49）% and（56.40±6.03）%. The VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions in superficial retina of control group were（18.35±6.57）%，（51.42±4.93）% and（50.04±5.47）%. The VD of the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal regions in deep retina of control group were（44.64±5.27）%，（34.13±8.17）%and（54.43±4.83）%. No significant differences were seen in superficial and deep retinal VD between study and control group (P=0.303, 0.467, 0.363, 0.482, 0.248, 0.212). Conclusion There were no significant abnormalities in macular retinal vascular structure and inner retinal perfusion in focal choroidal excavation patients. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2025, 34: 227-231)

Key words:  focal choroidal excavation, optical coherence tomography angiography, vessel density