Analysis of subfoveal choroidal thickness alteration in relation to presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

To assess alteration in subfoveal choroidal thickness in diabetics with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and compare it with severity of DR.All patients attending the ophthalmic OPD fulfilling inclusion and met no exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. All eyes underwent comprehensive and standardized ophthalmic examination. The SFCT (subfoveal choroidal thickness) was measured using high definition enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography using Cirrus HD OCT Model 500. The mean SFCT in diabetics was significantly lesser than age matched controls. It was also significantly lesser in diabetics with diabetic retinopathy as compare to diabetics without diabetic retinopathy. The SFCT was significantly decreased with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy. The mean SFCT was also decreased in diabetic with diabetic macular edema (DME) and PRP treated DR as compared to diabetic without DME and PRP untreated DR respectively. The SFCT could be a marker of severity of diabetic retinopathy. It was decreased in diabetics as compared to nondiabetics and was significantly decreased with increasing severity of DR and in presence of DME. PRP also significantly decreases SFCT.