Choroidal Layer Thickness Research Articles

Can the long term using of pregabalin in fibromyalgia affect the choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer?

In this study, the effects of long-term pregabalin use on the choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer were investigated in the fibromyalgia disease. The patient group consisted of 41 fibromyalgia patients using pregabalin. The control group consisted of 41 newly diagnosed fibromyalgia patients who had not received any treatment yet. Choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were performed with Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) 30 minutes after pupil dilation with 1% tropicamide. There was no difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness, nasal choroidal thickness and temporal choroidal thickness between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). Increasing the duration of drug use within the patient group was found to thin the retinal nerve fiber layer (p < 0.05). We found that pregabalin had no effect on the choroid, while it had a thinning effect for retinal nerve fiber layer. It is recommended not to be preferred pregabalin in fibromyalgia patients with retinal nerve fiber layer damage such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Patients treated with pregabalin should have regular control in the ophthalmology clinic.

Automated Analysis of Choroidal Sublayer Morphologic Features in Myopic Children Using EDI-OCT by Deep Learning.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the choroidal sublayer morphologic features in emmetropic and myopic children using an automatic segmentation model, and to explore the relationship between choroidal sublayers and spherical equivalent refraction (SER).MethodsWe collected data on 92 healthy children (92 eyes) from the Ophthalmology Department of Peking University First Hospital. The data were allocated to three groups: emmetropia (+0.50 diopters [D] to −0.50 D), low myopia (−0.75 D to −3.00 D), and moderate myopia (−3.25 D to −5.75 D). We performed standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) and developed a new segmentation technique to measure choroidal thickness (CT), large-vessel choroidal layer (LVCL), medium-vessel choroidal layer (MVCL), and small-vessel choroidal layer thickness (SVCL), and evaluated the choroidal vascular system (choroidal vascular volume [VV], choroidal vascular index [CVI], and choroidal vascular density [CVD]).ResultsAll choroidal sublayers (LVCL, MVCL, and SVCL) were significantly thinner in myopic than in emmetropic eyes (P < 0.05), the thinnest choroidal region being the nasal outer subfield (P < 0.05). In all choroidal regions of SVCL, a positive correlation was found between SER and thickness ratio (P < 0.001). In most subfields of MVCL, a similar correlation was found (P < 0.050), the exceptions being the two nasal subfields (0.050 < P < 0.300). In contrast, the thickness ratio of LVCL decreased in all subfields (P < 0.050). VV correlated with SER negatively in LVCL in all subfields (all P < 0.001) and most subfields in MVCL except for two temporal subfields (0.050 < P < 0.200). However, no significant correlations were found between CVI and SER in LVCL (P > 0.050) and MVCL (with the exception being the temporal inner subfield, P = 0.011).ConclusionsThickness of choroidal sublayers was reduced with higher myopic SER, whereas changes in thickness ratio varied between sublayers. No significant correlations between CVI and SER suggested that both choroidal stromal and vascular volume decreases proportionately.Translational RelevanceAutomatic segmentation model will be helpful for future clinical trials to quantify choroidal sublayer morphologic features in myopia.

Examination of optical coherence tomography findings in patients with methamphetamine use disorder

Objective In our study, we aimed to examine Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) findings in patients diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) by comparing them with healthy controls. Methods Sixty-five people were included in our study and 130 eyes were evaluated; 33 cases were included in the patient group with MUD according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and 32 as the healthy control group. Detailed biomicroscopic examinations and then both eyes were evaluated through OCT by the same ophthalmologist. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of gender and age (p > 0.05). When the OCT findings were evaluated, the measurements of the patients in any quadrant for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) were not statistically different from the control group (p > 0.05). Macula and choroidal layer thickness did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05). Only right intraocular pressure was found to be decreased in the patient group (p = 0.026). Conclusions There are a limited number of studies examining OCT findings in patients with MUD. Visual symptoms and intraocular pressure should be considered when evaluating patients with MUD and planning their treatment. In addition; in order for OCT findings to gain importance, which can be used as an effective method to show the possible neurodegeneration that may occur in substance use disorder, it should be supported with further research.

Age-related changes in the rhesus macaque eye

PurposeTo assess age-related changes in the rhesus macaque eye and evaluate them to corresponding human age-related eye disease. MethodsData from eye exams and imaging tests including intraocular pressure (IOP), lens thickness, axial length, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were evaluated from 142 individuals and statistically analyzed for age-related changes. Quantitative autofluorescence (qAF) was measured as was the presence of macular lesions as related to age. ResultsAges of the 142 rhesus macaques ranged from 0.7 to 29 years (mean = 16.4 years, stdev = 7.5 years). Anterior segment measurements such as IOP, lens thickness, and axial length were acquired. Advanced retinal imaging in the form of optical coherence tomography and qAF were obtained. Quantitative assessments were made and variations by age groups were analyzed to compare with established age-related changes in human eyes. Quantitative analysis of data revealed age-related increase in intraocular pressure (0.165 mm Hg per increase in year of age), ocular biometry (lens thickness 7.2 μm per increase in year of age; and axial length 52.8 μm per increase in year of age), and presence of macular lesions. Age-related changes in thicknesses of retinal layers on OCT were observed and quantified, showing decreased thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, and increased thickness of photoreceptor outer segment and choroidal layers. Age was correlated with increased qAF by 1.021 autofluorescence units per increase in year of age. ConclusionsThe rhesus macaque has age-related ocular changes similar to humans. IOP increases with age while retinal ganglion cell layer thickness decreases. Macular lesions develop in some aged animals. Our findings support the concept that rhesus macaques may be useful for the study of important age-related diseases such as glaucoma, macular diseases, and cone disorders, and for development of therapies for these diseases.

Retinal Neurovascular Structural Changes in Optical Coherence Tomography and the Relationship between These Changes and White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Migraine

Introduction: This study aimed to reveal whether retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) inner plexiform layer, and choroidal layer (CL) thicknesses differed in patients with migraine. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure these neurovascular structural changes and determine the relationship between these structures and cranial white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). Methods: This retrospective comparative registry study included a total of 155 individuals aged 18–55 (mean, 33.50 ± 8.34), consisting of 110 migraine patients and 45 healthy controls. Results: RNFLs were thinner in the migraine group than the control group but not to a statistically significant degree. However, in both eyes, peripapillary RNLF thickness in some specific quadrants was found to be significantly thinner in the patient group than the control group. GCLs were significantly thinner in the migraine group than the control group. CLs were significantly thicker in the migraine group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the OCT parameters of patients with and without WMH. An inverse correlation was found between disease duration and CL thickness. CLs were significantly thicker in patients in attack periods than those in attack-free periods. There was no significant difference between the OCT parameters of the migraine with aura and migraine without aura subgroups. Discussion/Conclusions: Retinal neural and vascular structures might be affected in migraine sufferers, including those in subgroups. Rebound vasodilation may cause alterations in CL thickness during a migraine attack. Factors other than hypoperfusion may contribute to the pathophysiology responsible for the formation of WMH.

Evaluation of the subfoveal choroidal and outer retinal layer thickness in obese women

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Obesity has become one of the most important health problems of today with its increasing prevalence. With the development of retinal imaging systems, obesity has been observed to be associated with changes in outer retinal layers and choroid in women. Background The aim of this study was to examine retinal layer parameters and their relationship with body mass index in obese women. Methods The study included 197 eyes of 197 women, of whom 44 were normal‐weight, 40 were overweight, 40 were class 1 obese, 38 were class 2 obese, and 35 were morbidly obese. The thickness of the choroid was measured manually using an enhanced‐depth imaging optical coherence tomography scanning program. Results The mean choroidal thickness values in five locations were lower than those of normal‐weight, overweight, class 1, and class 2 obese women, in morbidly obese women (p < 0.05 for all). Subfoveal outer retinal layer thickness and specific sublayer thickness of the photoreceptor layer values were significantly lower in morbidly obese women than in normal‐weight women, but there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in retinal pigment epithelium thickness and Bruch’s membrane thickness (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 1.00, and p = 0.101, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant negative relationships between body mass index and subfoveal choroidal thickness, subfoveal outer retinal layer thickness, and specific sublayer thickness of the photoreceptor layer values (r = −0.327, p < 0.001; r = −0.259, p < 0.001; and r = −0.281, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Morbid obesity was associated with a thinner choroid, subfoveal outer retinal layer, and specific sublayer thickness of the photoreceptor layer in women. Furthermore, retinal hypoxia associated with morbid obesity may be related to a decrease in photoreceptor layer thickness. Thinning of the outer retinal layer may also lead to atrophy of the cone sheath.

Retinal Findings on OCT in a COVID-19 Patient Cohort

The current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 has generated an urgency to understand the implications of this disease in the eye. Possible retinal involvement by SARS-CoV2 infection has been a topic of heated debate. Objective: To determine whether retinal abnormalities can be identified on Optical Computed Tomography (OCT) in convalescent patients following COVID-19 infection. Methodology: This is a prospective, case controlled study that recruited COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the United Christian Hospital Hong Kong, China. At 2 months post-recovery, patients’ visual acuity, refraction were measured. Spectraldomain OCT of the macula to retinal nerve fiber layer and enhanced depth imaging were performed. Age-matched and refraction-matched healthy individuals that were not infected with COVID-19 were enrolled as controls. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of retinal abnormalities on OCT and retinal and choroidal layer thickness were done. Results: 20 subjects (40 eyes) with COVID-19 and 25 (50 eyes) healthy controls were enrolled. Structural OCT abnormalities were observed in 24% of control eyes and in 25% of COVID-19 subjects. No differences were observed between the post- COVID-19 cohort and the healthy controls for any qualitative retinal abnormalities or in any quantitative features including retinal volume, choroidal thickness, retinal layer thicknesses in various macular regions, and peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness. Conclusion: Following full recovery from symptomatic COVID-19 infection, no significant abnormalities were evident on structural OCT as compared to controls. Although long-term damage to the retina appears to be uncommon after COVID-19 infection, this study provides valuable insight into the recovery process after COVID-19 and provides potential differentiating retinal features that should be considered in future studies involving a larger population.

Assessment of Global Ocular Structure Following Spaceflight Using a Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) Imaging Method.

Reports show that prolonged exposure to a spaceflight environment produces morphologic and functional ophthalmic changes in astronauts during and after an International Space Station (ISS) mission. However, the underlying mechanisms of these spaceflight-induced changes are currently unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of the spaceflight environment on ocular structures by evaluating the thickness of the mouse retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the choroid and the sclera layer using micro-CT imaging. Ten-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were housed aboard the ISS for a 35-day mission and then returned to Earth alive for tissue analysis. For comparison, ground control (GC) mice on Earth were maintained in identical environmental conditions and hardware. Ocular tissue samples were collected for micro-CT analysis within 38(±4) hours after splashdown. The images of the cross-section of the retina, the RPE, the choroid, and the sclera layer of the fixed eye was recorded in an axial and sagittal view using a micro-CT imaging acquisition method. The micro-CT analysis showed that the cross-section areas of the retina, RPE, and choroid layer thickness were changed in spaceflight samples compared to GC, with spaceflight samples showing significantly thinner cross-sections and layers compared to controls. The findings from this study indicate that micro-CT evaluation is a sensitive and reliable method to characterize ocular structure changes. These results are expected to improve the understanding of the impact of environmental stress on global ocular structures.

Choroidal, macular and ganglion cell layer thickness assessment in Caucasian children measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

To study the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), macular ganglion cell layer (GCL-IPL) and central macular thickness (CMT) in Caucasian children, and to analyze these optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters depending on the spherical equivalent (SE). Cross-sectional study of SFCT, GCL-IPL, and CMT in Caucasian children, analyzed with spectral-domain OCT Cirrus 5000 and Enhanced-depth imaging technique. Correlation between these three OCT parameters, age, sex, and spherical equivalent was analyzed. The eyes were classified into three groups: group 1 included eyes with SE < 0, group 2 included eyes with SE between 0 and +2.00, and group 3 eyes with SE > +2.00. Hundred ninety-eight eyes of 121 subjects were studied. The mean age was 9.22 years (range 3-16); 61.1% were female. The mean SFCT was 351.04 ± 84.08 µm, being 310.04 ± 82.84µm in group 1 (n = 62), 373.14 ± 83.16 µm in group 2 (n = 71) and 365.18 ± 73.16 µm in group 3 (n = 65); statistically significant differences were found between groups 2 and 3, compared with group 1. GCL-IPL thickness was significantly thinner (p < 0.001) in group 1, compared with group 3. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding CMT. Correlation with age, and sex was not found. SFCT and GCL-IPL thickness were significantly thinner (p < 0.001) in myopic children when compared with a non-myopic pediatric population. However, it seems that there is not a correlation among the three OCT parameters studied, age and sex, when they are analyzed depending on refractive error.

Diabetic macular edema with pachychoroid features

BackgroundTo investigate the clinical features of diabetic macular edema (DME) in eyes with pachychoroid phenotypes using multimodal retinal imaging.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 210 eyes from 210 DME patients and analyzed the clinical and imaging parameters, including visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and neural retina layer thickness (NRT). The DME eyes were divided into two groups: group 1 (80 eyes with submacular detachment [SMD]) and group 2 (130 eyes without SMD). The clinical and imaging parameters of 285 eyes from 285 diabetic patients without DME were collected as a control group.ResultsDME eyes with pachychoroid phenotypes were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (53 eyes [66.25%] and 53 eyes [40.77%], respectively, P < 0.001). Pachychoroid phenotypes were identified in 108 (37.90%) of the control eyes. CMT and NRT were greater in group 1 than in group 2. In group 1, 37 eyes had SMD combined with focal edema, and 43 eyes had SMD combined with diffuse-type edema. No significant difference in pachychoroid phenotypes was found between the focal and diffuse types (26 [70.27%] and 27 [62.79%], respectively, P = 0.481). In group 2, 70 eyes had focal-type edema, and 60 eyes had diffuse-type edema. No significant difference in the frequency of pachychoroid phenotypes was found (32 [45.71%] and 21 [35.00%], respectively, P = 0.215). Interestingly, among the 70 eyes with focal edema in group 2, 13 (40.6%) and 5 (13.2%) eyes with and without pachychoroid phenotypes showed no definite microaneurysms, respectively.ConclusionSMD and focal edema without definite microaneurysms may be clinical manifestations of DME with pachychoroid phenotypes and possibly related to choroidal circulation disturbance in DME.

Retinal choroidal vessel imaging based on multi-wavelength fundus imaging with the guidance of optical coherence tomography.

A multispectral fundus camera (MSFC), as a novel noninvasive technology, uses an extensive range of monochromatic light sources that enable the view of different sectional planes of the retinal and choroidal structures. However, MSFC imaging involves complex processes affected by various factors, and the recognized theory based on light absorption above the choroid is not sufficient. In an attempt to supplement the relevant explanations, in this study, we used optical coherence tomography (OCT), a three-dimensional tomography modality, to analyze MSFC results at the retina and choroid. The swept-source OCT system at 1060 nm wavelength with a 200 kHz A-scan rate and an MSFC with 11 bands at 470 to 845 nm are employed. A quantitative evaluation procedure is proposed to compare MSFC and OCT en face images. The comparative study shows that 1) the MSFC images with the illumination wavelength of less than 605 nm could mainly provide the retinal structure information; 2) Relative choroidal layer thickness information could be inferred from the MSFC images, especially the image acquiring under the wavelength more than 605 nm. According to the results, further investigation revealed the contribution of the perivascular tissue and the sclera scattering in the difference of vascular brightness in MSFC images.

Bariatric Surgery Induces Retinal Thickening Without Affecting the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Independent of Diabetic Status.

Obese patients have neurodegeneration of the optic nerve demonstrated by decreased peripapillary nerve fiber layer. Whether bariatric surgery reverses this neurodegenerative process has not been explored. We aimed to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery in the structure of the retina and optic nerve. Multicentric observational study. Obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery were consecutively recruited and included in the study and evaluated before and 6-12months after the intervention. The retinal structure was evaluated as retinal thickness in the different retinal layers in the foveal, perifoveal, and parafoveal regions using optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness and optic nerve retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were also evaluated. Eighty eyes from 40 participants were included. Globally, we found a significant thickening of the retina after bariatric surgery (foveal: 273.5 (21.5) μm vs 280.0 (28.8) μm, p < 0.001; parafoveal 332.4 ± 17.8μm vs 336.6 ± 15.9μm, p = 0.003; perifoveal: 293.4 ± 13.8μm vs 295.7 ± 14.9μm; p = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found for the ganglion cell layer, choroid, or peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness. The retinal thickening was confined to inner retinal layers and was independent of the diabetic status of the patients. After multivariate adjustment, HbA1c variation, preoperative C-peptide, preoperative hypertension, preoperative OSA, and preoperative LDL and TG levels seem to be clinical predictors of retinal thickening. We found a significant thickening of the retina after bariatric surgery that was independent of the diabetic status. The thickening was confined to inner retinal layers and may represent and improve perfusion. The peripapillary nerve fiber layer remained unchanged after the surgery.

Increases in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness may represent the neuroprotective effect of cannabis: an optical coherence tomography study

Although optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been used in many neuropsychiatric disorders, data on substance use disorders (SUD) are not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroidal layer thickness in patients diagnosed with SUD especially cannabis use disorder (CUD). RNFL, GCL, IPL, and the choroidal layers of 111 patients diagnosed with SUD and 45 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty patients were diagnosed with CUD and 50 patients had multiple drug use (MDU). The mean age of the patient and control groups were 23.39 ± 5.53 and 28.48 ± 5.21 years, respectively. The mean duration of substance use was 3.53 ± 2.95 years. The patients had not used any substance for a mean of 121.45 ± 116.99 days. When the RNFL values of the SUD, MDU, and control groups were compared, no significant difference was found except for such components. However, there were significant differences in terms of right naso-superior (p = 0.020), right temporo-inferior (p = 0.024), right temporo-superior (p = 0.002), left naso-superior (p = 0.005), left naso-inferior (p = 0.043), and left temporo-superior (p = 0.008) between CUD and control groups. That is, RNFL values were higher in the CUD group than in the control group. Cannabis has medical uses because of its possible neuroprotective properties. Our study supports the possible neuroprotective effects associated with cannabis through RNFL data. According to our best knowledge, this is the first study investigating the association between RNFL and drugs, particularly cannabis.

Topographic distribution features of the choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Wenzhou school-aged children.

To explore the topographic distribution features of choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and determine the relationship between CT and ocular parameters in school-aged children. The healthy school-aged children with low myopia or emmetropia in Wenzhou were recruited for this cross-sectional study. With high-density optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) combined with MATLAB software, the CT and RNFLT values in the macular area were measured at different locations and compared. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between CT and ophthalmic parameters, such as spherical equivalent (SE) and the axial length (AL). A total of 279 school-aged children with 8.00±1.35 years of mean age (range, 6-10y) were included. The mean AL was 23.66±0.86 mm. The mean CT in CT-C (264.31±48.93 µm) was thicker than that in CT-N1 (249.54±50.52 µm), and the average CT in the parafoveal region was also thicker than that in CT-N2 (235.65±50.63 µm). The subfoveal CT also varied substantially across refractive errors (P<0.001), and those with myopia (250.59±47.01 µm) exhibited a thinner choroid compared with those with emmetropia (278.74±48.06 µm). CT positively correlated with AL (y=11.12x-4.15; R 2=0.18), and positively correlated with SE (y=90.07x+17.916; R 2=14.2). The average RNFLT was thickest in the peripapillary region (236.35±19.03 µm), the mean RNFLT-S (131.10±15.16 µm) was thicker than the RNFLT-I (128.20±16.59 µm), and the mean RNFLT-T (76.54±11.99 µm) was thicker than the RNFLT-N (64.28±8.55 µm). The variations in the RNFLT between quadrants did differ between those with myopia and emmetropia (P<0.05). We establish demographic information for the choroid and RNFLT. These findings provide information that should be considered in future analyses of the CT and RNFLT in OCT studies in school-aged children.

Topographic distribution features of the choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Chinese school-aged children.

To explore the topographic distribution features of choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and determine the relationship between CT and ocular parameters in school-aged children. The healthy school-aged children with low ametropia or emmetropia in Wenzhou were recruited for this cross-sectional study. With high-density optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) combined with MATLAB software, the CT and RNFLT values in the macular area were measured at different locations and compared. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between CT and ophthalmic parameters, such as spherical equivalent (SE) and the axial length (AL). A total of 279 school-aged children with 8.00±1.35 years of mean age (range, 6-10y) were included. The mean AL was 23.66±0.86 mm. The mean CT in CT-C (264.31±48.93 µm) was thicker than that in CT-N1 (249.54±50.52 µm), and the average CT in the parafoveal region was also thicker than that in CT-N2 (235.65±50.63 µm). The subfoveal CT also varied substantially across refractive errors (P<0.001), and those with myopia (250.59±47.01 µm) exhibited a thinner choroid compared with those with emmetropia (278.74±48.06 µm). CT negatively correlated with AL (y=-21.72x+779.17; R 2=0.1458), and positively correlated with SE (y=15.76x+271.9; R 2=0.0727, OD; y=18.31x+269.8; R 2=0.1007, OS). The average RNFLT was thickest in the peripapillary region (236.35±19.03 µm), the mean RNFLT-S (131.10±15.16 µm) was thicker than the RNFLT-I (128.20±16.59 µm), and the mean RNFLT-T (76.54±11.99 µm) was thicker than the RNFLT-N (64.28±8.55 µm). The variations in the RNFLT between quadrants did differ between those with myopia and emmetropia (P<0.05). We establish demographic information for the choroid and RNFLT. These findings provide information that should be considered in future analyses of the CT and RNFLT in OCT studies in school-aged children.

Ophthalmologic Manifestations and Retinal Findings in Children with Down Syndrome.

Purpose To evaluate ocular findings in children with Down syndrome and to compare with the healthy children group. Methods The study patients were divided into two groups as the diagnosed Down syndrome group and the control group. The study was designed as a prospective and single-center study in Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology. The study included 93 patients in the age range from 7 to 18 years, who applied to the ophthalmology department of our clinic in the period from July 2017 to June 2018. The study included the patients allocated into the control group and the Down syndrome patients allocated into the patient group, containing 49 and 44 participants, respectively. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination with biomicroscopy. Autorefractometer measurements were performed in all patients, and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined with the use of the Snellen chart. All patients underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements for central foveal retinal (CRT), subfoveal choroidal (CCT), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thicknesses. Results The average CRT was 241.2 ± 25.7 microns in Down syndrome group and 219.4 ± 21.1 microns in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in regards to CRT (p < 0.001). The average pRNFL values were 123.1 ± 15.4 microns in the Down syndrome group and 102.2 ± 8.7 microns in the control group (p < 0.001). The average pRNFL values were 123.1 ± 15.4 microns in the Down syndrome group and 102.2 ± 8.7 microns in the control group (Conclusions In the subjects with Down syndrome, the incidence of lens opacities, strabismus, and amblyopia was higher than the control group. CRT and pRNFL were thicker in the Down syndrome group than in control group. This may represent retinal developmental changes in the patients with Down syndrome.

Relationship between diabetic macular edema and choroidal layer thickness.

To investigate the relationship between diabetic macular edema (DME) and the choroidal layer thickness in diabetic patients. This is a retrospective observation study. Three hundred eighteen eyes of 159 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and age-matched 100 eyes of 79 healthy controls were enrolled. DME was defined as over 300 μm in the central retinal subfield of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid sector. The central choroidal thickness (CCT), as well as inner and outer layers were determined based on enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-OCT. Diabetic patients with/without systemic diabetic treatments (DT) at the start of this study was defined as DT+ and DT-, respectively. The number of eyes examined was 62 and 256 eyes in DME+and DME-groups, respectively. DM patients were further subdivided into 4 groups with/without DME and DT; DME+DT+(35 eyes), DME-DT+(159 eyes), DME+DT-(27 eyes), and DME-DT-group (97 eyes). Multiple comparisons on CCT layers including control and each DM group were statistically examined. The total CCT layer was 254±83, 283±88, and 251±70 μm in the control, DME+, and DME-group, respectively. A total CCT layer in DME+was significantly thicker than the DME-group (P < 0.05). The outer CCT layer was 195±75, 222±83, and 193±63 μm in the control, DME+, and DME-group, respectively. The outer CCT layer in DME+ was significantly thicker than the DME-group (P < 0.05). In the subdivided groups, the total CCT layers in the control, DME+DT+, DME-DT+, DME+DT-and DME-DT-groups were 254±83, 274±88, 247±66, 290±84 and 258±75 μm, respectively. The outer CCT layers in each group were 195±75, 214±83, 189±58, 228±77, and 201±70 μm, respectively. Total CCT and the outer layer in DME+DT-was significantly thicker than the DME-DT+group (each P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in inner layer between the groups. The total and outer CCT layers of diabetic eyes were significantly thickened in the DME+DT-as compared with the DME-DT+group, suggesting that CCT may be related to the pathology of DME.

Correlation of retinal changes with choroidal changes in acute and recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy assessed by swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Purpose:To evaluate affected choroidal regions and corresponding retinal changes in acute and recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy using swept-source optical coherence tomography.Methods:The foveal and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were measured with swept-source optical coherence tomography. The retina was divided into five zones on the swept-source optical coherence tomography image based on baseline choroidal thickness being <100, 100–199, 200–299, 300–399 and ⩾400 μm. The retinal and choroidal thicknesses in the same five regions were evaluated during follow-up. The measurements were then compared between baseline (when central serous chorioretinopathy was active) and follow-up (after complete resolution of disease).Results:At baseline, in the acute group, the mean outer retinal layer thickness was significantly higher in areas with thicker choroid and lower in areas with thinner choroid. No such change was noticed in the recurrent group. In the acute group, the overall retinal thickness from baseline to follow-up decreased from 269.84 to 251.9 µm, ganglion cell layer thickness decreased from 107.14 to 101.28 µm, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness decreased from 56.96 to 49.33 µm, and no significant difference was noted in choroidal thickness. In the recurrent group, choroidal thickness significantly increased from 254.58 to 262.55 µm and ganglion cell layer decreased from 103.43 to 94.01 µm. No significant difference was noted in overall retina and retinal nerve fibre layer. Reduction in choroidal and retinal layer thicknesses was better in eyes which underwent laser treatment than the observation group.Conclusion:Swept-source optical coherence tomography might serve as an important non-invasive tool for both evaluating the extent of pathology and to predict the recurrence rate.

Comparison of OCT findings of schizophrenia patients using FGA, Clozapine, and SGA other than Clozapine

ABSTRACT Objective: The effect of antipsychotic (AP) drugs on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in schizophrenia has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of APs (the first generation antipsychotic group [FGAG], the second generation antipsychotic group [SGAG], the clozapine group [CG]) on OCT findings in schizophrenia. Methods: The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and choroidal thickness were measured using a spectral OCT device. Results: No significant difference was found between FGAG, SGAG, CG (p > 0.05) while there was a significant difference between the control group and the patients group in terms of RNFL, GCL, and IPL (p < 0.05). A significant difference between SGAG and CG, FGAG (p < 0.05); between control group and FGAG (p < 0.05) were found in terms of choroidal thickness. Conclusion: These findings suggested the deterioration of the metabolic parameters due to the SGA use. Thinner choroidal layer thickness in the CG compared to the SGAG and control group was thought to be related to the patients using clozapine had a resistance to the treatment.

Optical coherence tomography angiography for the assessment of choroidal vasculature in high myopia

AimsTo assess specific layers of the choroid in highly myopic young adults and to examine their associations with levels of myopia.MethodsWe recruited 51 young myopes (n=91 eyes) from the Singapore...