Choroidal Thickness In Patients Research Articles

Evaluation of Choroidal Thickness and Choroidal Vascularity Index in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the choroidal vascularity index and choroidal thickness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Method This study is a case control study. Our study consists of a total of two groups, with 32 individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 32 healthy volunteers. The thickness of the subfoveal choroid was measured from the 500 micron (µm), 1000 µm, 1500 µm nasal aspect of the fovea, and 500µm, 1000µm, 1500 µm temporal and subfoveal thickness of the fovea. ImageJ version 1.53i (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) from open access was used for choroidal vascular index calculation. Results The mean age (p = 0.064) and gender distribution (p = 0.522) were not statistically different between these two groups. There was no difference between the groups in terms of visual acuity (p = 0.060), intraocular pressures (p=0.056), refractive errors (p = 0.418), and axial lengths (p = 0.280). Temporal 500 µm CT (p = 0.038), temporal 1000 µm CT (p = 0.010), and temporal 1500 µm CT (p = 0.005) differed significantly between the groups. The luminal area was significantly different between the RA group (842.71 ± 192.77) and the control group (957.78 ± 230.83) (p = 0.034). The choroidal vascularity index showed a significant difference between the RA group (64.99 ± 4.71) and the control group (67.34 ± 3.40) (p = 0.026). A significant difference was observed between the seronegative RA and the control group with temporal 1500 µm CT (p = 0.030), temporal 1000 µm CT (p = 0.023), and luminal area (p = 0.034). Conclusion We demonstrated thinning in CT and decreased CVI for the first time in RA patients by comparing it with the control group.

Choroidal Thickness and brolucizumab intravitreal injection: Cause or effect of intraocular inflammation?

Purposeto analyze the structural changes of choroidal thickness in patients with brolucizumab-related exudative vitritis after intravitreal injection, using EDI-OCT. MethodsOne hundred eyes of one hundred patients, affected by exudative age related-macular degeneration treated with brolucizumab intravitreal injection between January 2022 and august 2023 at Eye clinic of University of Federico II Naples, were enrolled. All eyes underwent macular examination using Enhanced Deep Imaging-OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering inc.) preoperatively and at each postoperative check (1, 3, 6, 12 months). Anterior segment evaluation at slit lamp before and after injection was performed. ResultsOf the 100 treated eyes, 4 showed inflammatory signs related to exudative vitreitis, with inflammation signs at slit lamp examination and confirmed by OCT and B scan ecography. EDI-OCT revealed, in all of these 4 patients, a significant increase of choroidal thickness compared to baseline. Conclusionchoroidal thickness could be correlated in the inflammatory response generated in patients undergoing treatment with brolucizumab.

Automated analysis of choroidal thickness in patients with systemic lupus erithematosus treated with hydroxychloroquine.

To evaluate the influence of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), considering the possible impact of disease activity on the choroid. Cross-sectional study comparing three groups: two groups of SLE patients treated with HCQ without HCQ-retinopathy (32 eyes/32 patients with < 5years of HCQ (group 1) and 44 eyes/44 patients with > 5years of HCQ (group 2)), and an age-matched healthy control group of 46 eyes/46 patients (group 3). A complete ophthalmic examination was performed, including swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) Triton (Topcon). Data were correlated to systemic disease activity parameters. CT was thicker in group 1 compared to group 3 in central, nasal, and superior sectors, and to group 2 in inner superior and outer inferior sectors (p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis, disease activity and CT were inversely correlated in most sectors (p < 0.05). In the regression analysis, HCQ was related to thinner CT in temporal and inferior sectors and disease activity with variations in nasal sectors (p < 0.05). In SLE patients, HCQ is correlated to decreased CT, especially in the inferior and temporal areas. The choroid shows different responses to SLE activity and HCQ, and some sectors may be more sensitive than others.

Retina hypoperfusion in multiple sclerosis: Is it only a consequence of atrophy?

Aims/Purpose: To study if there are vascular changes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) when compared healthy controls, analysing oct and OCT‐angiography findings (choroidal thickness and retinal vascular density) at the macular level.Methods: The study compared two groups (controls and patients) and it analysed whether there were statistically significant differences in the different parameters studied using OCT: choroidal thickness and in the vascular macular plexuses, using OCT‐angiography. Any patient has an optic neuritis history. It was also studied whether there was a statistically significant correlation between anatomical parameters (radial nerve fibre layer, RNFL and ganglion cell layer, GCL) and vascular parameters matching cases and controls by age and sex.Results: We found a statistically significant reduction in macular choroidal thickness in patients when compared to controls. The study of retinal vascular plexuses showed that the superficial and deep retinal vascular plexuses and the choriocapillaris plexus showed significantly lower vascular density in the patients group. Variations in anatomical parameters between anatomical parameters and in vascular parameters between vascular parameters pairing cases and controls show direct correlations. Regarding the correlation between the differences in anatomical versus vascular parameters, we only observed a low direct correlation between the difference in the papillary RFNL and that of the superficial macular vascular plexus between case and control group.Conclusions: The density of macular vascular plexus and choroidal thickness proved to be significantly lower in MS patients than in healthy subjects. To date, it is not known to what extent hypoperfusion in MS is a cause or consequence of the brain disease or whether it is a simply association. Vascular parameters could be used as useful markers in the diagnosis and follow‐up of MS.

Role of Psychological Stress and Choroidal Thickness in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Introduction: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a disease with a multifactorial aetiology. Objectives: To evaluate the role of psychological stress and choroidal thickness in patients with CSCR. Materials and methods: This was a hospital-based, analytical cross-sectional study, conducted at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, from 2018 February to 2019 September, after the approval of the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee. Patients who satisfied the eligibility criteria of the study, were selected from the outpatient clinics of the Department of Ophthalmology. Twenty-five patients with unilateral CSCR (Group 1 - cases), and 50 age and gender-matched patients without CSCR (Group 2 - controls), randomly selected in a 1:2 ratio, were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Psychological stress was assessed using Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). All patients had a Swept Source optical coherence tomography scan of the macula. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) of both eyes of all participants was measured using a standard protocol. The data were collated and analysed, using Independent samples t-test and Chi-square/ Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in mean stress scores (p &lt;0.01), as well as stress categories (p &lt;0.01). Although there was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension between the two groups (p = 0.33), there was a significant difference both in the mean systolic (p &lt;0.01) and diastolic (p &lt;0.01) blood pressure between the two groups. We found a significant difference between mean SFCT of CSCR eyes (421+/- 78.34 μm) and control eyes (314.24 +/- 52.48 μm, p &lt;0.01), as well as between fellow eyes (396.20 +/- 68.79 μm) and control eyes (314.24 +/- 52.48 μm, p &lt;0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the mean SFCT of CSCR eyes and fellow eyes (p =0.24). Conclusion: The findings reiterate the concept that the underlying pathophysiological changes leading to CSCR involve both the eyes of the patient. Psychological stress and hypertension may be factors that play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of the pachychoroid-related changes leading to CSCR. Stress relief measures, with a holistic approach to management, should be an integral part of the therapeutic strategies for CSCR.

Изменение толщины хориоидеи в лечении первичного закрытия угла передней камеры глаза

Purpose. To compare choroidal thickness before and after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and lens extraction (LE) in patients with primary angle closure (PAC). Material and methods. The prospective study included 60 patients (60 eyes) with PAC aged 41 to 80 years. LPI was performed in 30 eyes, LE was performed in 30 eyes. All patients underwent Swept Source optical coherence tomography. The parameters of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye were analyzed including the choroidal thickness in the macula (in foveola, in diameters of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm from it) as well as intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of medicines. Results. After LE, choroidal thickness significantly increased (from 341±59 to 345±57 µm, p=0.000) in the foveola as well as in all sectors (p&lt;0.05) except for the nasal one, 3 mm from the center of the foveola (p=0.05). After LPI, choroidal thickness significantly increased in all sectors (all p&lt;0.05) except for the superior (p=0.124) and temporal (p=0.103) sectors 3 mm from the center of the foveola as well as in the foveola itself (from 343±58 to 341±60 µm, p=0.519). There was no significant difference in choroidal thickness in the macula between the groups after treatment (all p&gt;0.05). Conclusion. An increase the choroidal thickness in patients with PAC after LPI and LE suggests the involvement of the choroid in the mechanisms of the hypotensive response to the treatment. Key words: primary angle closure, SS-OCT, choroidal thickness, laser peripheral iridotomy, lens extraction

Choroidal thickness in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, as determined by swept-source optical coherence tomography

AimThis study used swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to investigate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) who displayed different levels of disease activity and severity.MethodsThirty patients...

Association of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity With Choroidal Thickness.

To determine the association between disease activity and choroidal thickness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We conducted a cohort study of 24 SLE patients and 13 healthy controls recruited at Washington University School of Medicine between June 2019 and November 2021. SLE disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 Responder Index-50 (S2K RI-50). Patients were divided into four groups: high disease activity/no lupus nephritis (HDA/no LN; S2K RI-50 > 4), HDA/active LN (HDA/active LN; S2K RI-50 > 4), low disease activity/inactive LN (LDA/inactive LN; S2K RI-50 ≤ 4), and LDA/no LN (LDA/no LN; S2K RI-50 ≤ 4). LDA/no LN patients were age-, sex-, and race-matched to healthy controls and patients in other SLE groups. Choroidal thickness of the right eye was measured blinded to disease activity on a horizontal section through the fovea on optical coherence tomography images taken within a week of disease assessment. Patients with HDA had choroidal thickening compared with matched patients with LDA. After controlling for multiplicity, choroidal thinning remained statistically significant at 1000 μm nasal to the fovea (308 ± 68 vs 228 ± 64 μm, p = 0.001). Choroidal thickness was not different between LDA/no LN and LDA/inactive LN or healthy controls. HDA in patient with SLE is associated with increased choroidal thickness whereas comorbid inactive LN did not affect choroidal thickness. Additional studies in a larger longitudinal cohort are needed to study whether choroidal thickness may be used as a noninvasive, adjunctive measure for disease activity in SLE.

Macular retinal and choroidal thickness profile in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy compared to healthy individuals: A cross-sectional study.

To evaluate the macular thickness profile and central subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) compared to healthy subjects. We used the convenience sampling method and divided all participants into the patients and control groups. Based on the clinical activity score (CAS) in the first examination, the patient group was divided to two subgroups: the patients with CAS < 3 and the patients with CAS ≥ 3. Complete ophthalmologic examinations and optical coherence tomographyimaging were performed for all participants. The mean ± SD of central choroidal thickness was 277 ± 76.58 microns for the control and 326.07 ± 56.574 micron for the patient group which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). We also found that the parafoveal inner thickness is significantly lower in patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.02). A comparison of neuro-structural data between the two subgroups of patients showed a significant difference in central choroidal thickness (p = 0.05). This study showed that central choroidal thickness in patients with CAS ≥ 3 compared to those with CAS < 3 and also in the patient group compared to healthy individuals have a significantly increasing trend.

Choroidal vascularity index and submacular choroidal thickness in patients with Behçet disease assessed with enhanced-depth OCT

PurposeTo investigate changes in the choroid using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (ChT) in patients with ocular (OBD) and non-ocular Behçet disease (non-ocular BD). MethodsSixty-eight OBD patients, 40 non-ocular BD patients, and 40 healthy control subjects were included. ChT was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in enhanced-depth imaging (EDI) mode (EDI-OCT; sub-foveal ChT at 1000 μm, nasal ChT at 1000 μm temporal ChT). The CVI value (%) was calculated by dividing the luminal area by the sub-foveal total choroidal area. ResultsThe mean sub-foveal ChT (297 ± 68 µm), nasal ChT (261 ± 66 µm), and temporal ChT (272 ± 68 µm) in eyes with OBD and the mean sub-foveal ChT (286 ± 31 µm), nasal ChT (266 ± 29 µm), and temporal ChT (269 ± 32 µm) in eyes with non-ocular BD were significantly decreased compared with those regions in healthy control subjects (333 ± 69, 301 ± 75, and 312 ± 70 µm, respectively). Additional subgroup analysis was performed for active OBD, inactive OBD, non-ocular BD, and the control group, and in pairwise comparisons, the CVI value was significantly decreased in both active (64.3 ± 3.1) and inactive OBD groups (64.2 ± 4.5) compared with healthy control subjects (67.2 ± 3.6; p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between non-ocular BD (65.9 ± 3.4) and control subjects (67.2 ± 3.6) for CVI measurements (p > 0.05). ConclusionsDecreased CVI values in OBD suggest that uveitis affects the choroidal vasculature and that perfusion is affected by uveitis, whereas systemic inflammation in non-ocular BD does not affect them. In addition, the choroid in uveitis is affected by the chronicity of the disease rather than disease activity. ChT measurements and CVI values may be a novel and robust prognosticating biomarker to evaluate choroidal vasculature and to monitor disease progression in OBD patients because EDI-OCT is a non-invasive imaging modality. However, CVI does not seem to be a biomarker for monitoring of disease activity or treatment efficacy.

Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.

Coronary slow flow may not only affect the coronary arteries, but it may also be a vascular problem affecting the rest of the arterial system. The aim of this study was to determine peripheral arterial stiffness and the thickness of the choroid layer in patients with slow coronary flow. Fifty consecutive patients (age, 54.3 ± 11.4 years, 38 male) with coronary slow flow and 25 consecutive patients (age, 50.5 ± 9.9 years, 16 male) with normal coronary arteries both documented by coronary angiography were included. Arterial stiffness parameters were measured noninvasively using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriography system. The choroidal thickness was assessed using the enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography method. The patients with coronary slow flow had significantly higher peripheral systolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central pulse pressure, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) and significantly thinner choroidal thickness compared to the controls. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count was positively correlated with PWV (r: 0.237, p = 0.041) and negatively correlated with choroidal thickness (r: -0.249, p = 0.031). There was also a negative correlation between PWV and mean choroidal thickness (r: -0.565, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that coronary slow flow was an independent predictor of both PWV and choroidal thickness when adjusted by age and sex. The acceleration of average peripheral arterial PWV with a thinning of choroidal thickness in patients with coronary slow flow may support the idea that this phenomenon may be a coronary presentation of a systemic microvascular disorder.

Measurement of Sub-Foveal Choroidal Thickness in Hyperthyroid Patients with Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy, Using Spectral Domain OCT

Background Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an auto-immune orbitopathy, associated with thyroid dysfunction. It results in compression of the orbital contents, impairment of the blood flow and thus affects the choroidal and retinal microstructure and function. Aim of the Work The purpose of this study is to measure the central choroidal thickness in active and inactive TAO using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and compare it to the control group. Patients and Methods The cross section study was conducted on participants recruited from the ophthalmology clinic of the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE). The study included 160 eyes from 80 participants (40 hyperthyroidism patients and 40 control subjects). Data was collected during the period of December 2019 to June 2020. Results There was no significant difference regarding age, gender, vision and IOP between TAO patients (either active or inactive) and normal subjects. Our study showed that there was a significant increase in sub-foveal choroidal thickness in patients with TAO compared to the control group. It also showed a significant increase in sub-foveal choroidal thickness in the active subgroup more than the inactive subgroup. In addition, a decrease in central foveal thickness was found in patients with TAO compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference found between active and inactive subgroups. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that there is a significant affection of sub-foveal choroidal thickness and central foveal thickness in thyroid-associated-ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients.

Heart-Rate Variability Correlates to Choroidal Thickness in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) have previously been shown to have a lower heart rate variability (HRV), implying a lower vagal tone. Vagal tone alters mineralocorticoids, which in turn affect the thickness of the choroid. Since increased choroidal thickness is characteristic of CSC, we wanted to investigate its correlation with HRV. In this case-control study, 21 acute CSC patients and 31 healthy controls were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal examination. HRV was evaluated following accepted standards. Outcome measures were chosen beforehand as follows: Standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSDD), low frequency/high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio), and standard deviation ratio from commonly used Poincare plot (SD2/SD1 ratio). Choroidal thickness was measured using OCT directly under the foveola. Patients and healthy controls did not differ in health and medical characteristics in addition to CSC disease. Choroidal thickness was greatest in patients with CSC (mean±SD: 342±80 μm) compared to controls (235±60 μm, p<0.0001). A correlation was observed between LF/HF ratio and choroidal thickness in patients with CSC (Pearson correlation 0.63, p=0.02), where the CSC group had a lower LF/HF ratio (Median 2.39 ms2, IQR: 1.2-4.34 ms2) compared to controls (Median 1.2 ms2, IQR: 0.9-2.4 ms2, p=0.06) and SD2/SD1 ratio (CSC 0.59±0.2 vs controls 0.74±0.3, p=0.06). We found a correlation between the thickness of the choroid and the HRV-measured LF/HF ratio in patients with CSC and showed a borderline significant reduction in HRV measurements in patients with CSC. The data imply that vagal alterations exist in patients with CSC. Due to the low n, this should be considered as a pilot study. Further studies are warranted to elucidate mechanisms and validate findings.

Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Unilateral Amblyopia and Comparison between Anisometropic and Strabismic Amblyopia: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

To determine the choroidal thickness (mainly subfoveal) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in amblyopic eyes and to compare it with the choroidal thickness (CT) of healthy fellow eyes. In this prospective study, 140 eyes of 70 patients (aged 5-40 years) with strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia were examined using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode in SD-OCT. The CT was measured directly below the fovea and six other locations: 500 μ, 1000 μ, and 1500 μ from fovea in both nasal and temporal quadrants. The mean age of the patients was 22.5 ± 11.2 years. The mean Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in the amblyopic eyes was 0.87 ± 0.47 logMAR and 0 ± 0.02 logMAR in control eyes. The average subfoveal CT was 341.73 ± 60.39 μm in the amblyopic eyes and 314.77 ± 48.12 μm in the fellow eyes. Subgroup analysis showed that the patients with anisometropic amblyopia had a significantly thicker choroid as compared to the fellow healthy eyes (P = 0.00), whereas in strabismic amblyopic eyes, this difference was not significantly significant (P = 0.064). Significant choroidal thickening was observed in subjects with amblyopia, which may contribute to the amblyopia pathogenesis and this could be used as a diagnostic parameter for amblyopia. These changes were more pronounced in patients with anisometropic amblyopia than strabismic amblyopia.

Changes in retinal circulation and choroidal thickness in patients with acute myeloid leukemia detected by optical coherence tomography angiography.

To investigate changes in retinal circulation and the choroid in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the acute and remission stages, to analyze the correlation between retinal circulation and laboratory parameters, and to assess risk factors associated with leukemic retinopathy. Forty-eight patients (93 eyes) with AML were enrolled and divided into two groups according to fundus examination findings: the retinopathy and no retinopathy groups. Patients underwent eye measurements before treatment and after remission. Macular vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and choroidal thickness (ChT) were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. Patients with healthy eyes were recruited as control participants. Patients with leukemic retinopathy had higher measurements of white blood cells (WBCs), circulating blasts, fibrin degradation products, and cross-linked fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) and a lower hemoglobin (HB) count (p < 0.05). In the acute phase of the disease, the VD and PD were lower and the ChT was thicker in patients with AML than in controls (p < 0.05), irrespective of the presence of leukemic retinopathy; however, the patients were partially recovered in the remission stage. The VD was lower in patients with higher WBC (r = -0.217, p = 0.036), D-dimer (r = -0.279, p = 0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = -0.298, p = 0.004) and triglyceride (r = -0.336, p = 0.001) levels. The FAZ area was negatively correlated with HB (r = -0.258, p = 0.012). Patients with AML appear to have subclinical retinal perfusion loss and choroidal thickening in the acute phase of the disease, but this is reversible. Injury to bone marrow function may cause a decrease in retinal perfusion. Leukemic retinopathy is associated with abnormal hematologic parameters and coagulopathy.

Long-term changes in the choroidal thickness in patients with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term changes in the choroidal thickness in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. This retrospective study included 41 eyes from 41 patients with treatment-naïve unilateral CRVO. We compared the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and central macular thickness (CMT) of CRVO eyes with those of fellow eyes at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Baseline SFCT was significantly higher in CRVO eyes than in fellow eyes (p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the SFCT between CRVO eyes and fellow eyes at 12 months and 24 months. When compared with baseline SFCT, SFCT significantly decreased at 12 months and 24 months in CRVO eyes (all p < 0.001). In patients with unilateral CRVO, SFCT in the CRVO eye was significantly thicker than in the fellow eye at baseline, and after 12 months and 24 months, there was no difference from the fellow eye.

Evaluation of the Effect of Duration on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Choroidal Thickness in Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliative Glaucoma.

To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and choroidal thickness in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) for 1-5 years or 6-10 years compared to healthy volunteers. Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients with XFG, 78 eyes of 78 patients with XFS, and 83 eyes of 83 healthy individuals were included in this prospective study. SD-OCT data for choroid thickness and RNFL were recorded. RNFL thickness was statistically significantly lower in eyes with XFG and XFS than in the control group (p &lt; 0.001). Macular choroidal thickness decreased significantly in the XFG group compared to the XFS and control groups (p &lt; 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the XFS and control groups (p &gt; 0.05). In terms of choroidal and RNFL thicknesses by years in XFG and XFS patients, values were lower in the patients diagnosed 6-10 years previously than in those diagnosed 1-5 years previously. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). Thinning of both choroidal and RNLF thickness in XFG and XFS patients may mean that PEX material is an important risk factor for the progression of XFS to XFG. In addition, thinner choroid and RNLF thickness in the 6-10 years groups show the effect of PEX material and the importance of time.

Changes in Anterior Chamber Angle and Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma after Phaco-Goniosynechialysis.

We aimed to observe changes in angle width and choroidal thickness (CT) before and after phacoemulsification intraocular lens implantation (PEI) combined with goniosynechialysis (GSL) in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) complicated by cataracts. This prospective cohort study included 60 patients with PACG complicated by cataracts from the Department of Ophthalmology of Shaoxing People’s Hospital, China. Patients underwent PEI combined with GSL (PEI-GSL group) or laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) followed by PEI (PEI group). Intraocular pressure (IOP) and endothelial counts were significantly decreased in both groups after surgery, while best-corrected visual acuity and central anterior chamber depth were significantly increased. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The opening degrees of room corners at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock were recorded as AA12, AA3, AA6, and AA9, respectively. Anterior chamber depth was significantly increased postoperatively compared to preoperatively in both groups, with no significant between-group differences (all ps > 0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, the width at AA12, AA3, and AA9 points was higher in the PEI-GSL group than in the PEI group (all ps < 0.05). Significant between-group differences at AA6 were observed preoperatively (p = 0.023) and at 1 (p = 0.027) and 3 (p = 0.033) months postoperatively but not at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.055). CT was smaller postoperatively than preoperatively (all ps < 0.001). The present study suggests that patients with PACG who underwent PEI with or without GSL had reduced IOP and CT after surgery.

Influence of Intravitreal Therapy on Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

This study aimed to analyze the variation in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and its relationship with the variation in central macular thickness (CME) in response to intravitreal therapy with an antiangiogenic (anti-VEGF) drug or corticosteroid in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). This retrospective study included 70 eyes of 35 patients: 26 eyes received 4-5 intravitreal injections of aflibercept, 26 eyes were treated with a single intravitreal implant injection of dexamethasone, and 18 eyes without DME did not receive intravitreal therapy. SPECTRALIS® optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to measure the SFCT and CME before and at the end of the follow-up period. The mean reductions in CME were 18.8 +/- 14.7% (aflibercept) and 29.7 +/- 16.9% (dexamethasone). The mean reductions in SFCT were 13.8 +/- 13.1% (aflibercept) and 19.5 +/- 9.6% (dexamethasone). The lowering effects of both parameters were significantly greater in the group treated with the dexamethasone implant (p = 0.022 and p = 0.046 for CMT and SFCT, respectively). Both therapies significantly decreased both CME and SFCT, independent of factors such as age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There were no changes in the mean values of CME and SFCT in the untreated eyes. SFCT significantly decreased in response to intravitreal therapy with anti-VEGF or corticosteroids, irrespective of age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There was a correlation between the changes in CME and SFCT after intravitreal therapy with aflibercept or dexamethasone implantation. SFCT was not a good predictor of the CME response but could be used to monitor the response to treatment. Local intravitreal therapy only affected the treated eye.

Исследование эффективности и безопасности yag-лазерного витреолизиса в раннем периоде полной задней отслойки стекловидного тела

Aim. To research the subjective satisfaction and morphometric parameters of the central retinal thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients before and after YAG-laser vitreolysis in the early period of complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Methods. The research included 38 patients operated in the early period of complete PVD. All the patients underwent the research of subjective satisfaction, central retinal thickness (CCT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) over a period of 6 months. Results. Subjective satisfaction with treatment in patients was 93.5 %, where the complete satisfaction with the result was 47.2 %. Comparative evaluation of morphometric parameters before and after early laser vitreolysis: central retinal thickness (p = 0.176) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (p = 0.475) showed no statistically significant changes. Conclusions. The results of the research indicate the safety of laser vitreolysis in the early period after the completion of PVD (up to three months) with careful patients selection. Key words: YAG-laser vitreolysis; optical coherence tomography; vaporization.