Mean Macular Choroidal Thickness Research Articles

Macular Choroidal Thickness in Normal Pediatric Population Measured by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

To evaluate choroidal thickness in healthy pediatric population by swept-source longer-wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). This was a cross-sectional comparative, noninterventional study. The macular area of 83 eyes from 43 pediatric patients (<18 years) was studied with an SS-OCT prototype system. Macular choroidal thickness was manually determined at 750-μm intervals by measuring the perpendicular distance from the posterior edge of the RPE to the choroid/sclera junction, along a horizontal 4500-μm line centered in the fovea. Three observers independently determined choroidal thickness. Pediatric choroidal thickness was compared with choroidal thickness from 75 eyes from 50 normal healthy adult volunteers (18 years or older). Mean age was 10 ± 3 years (3-17) in the pediatric population versus 53 ± 16 (25-85) in the adult population (P < 0.001). Mean spherical equivalent was not different (P = 0.06) between both groups. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 312.9 ± 65.3 μm in the pediatric versus 305.6 ± 102.6 μm in the adult population (P = 0.19). Mean macular choroidal thickness was 285.2 ± 56.7 μm in the pediatric versus 275.2 ± 92.7 μm in the adult population (P = 0.08). The distribution of choroidal thickness along the horizontal line was different for both populations; the temporal choroid was thicker in the pediatric population (320, 322, and 324 μm; P = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.06, respectively), followed by the subfoveal (312 μm) and nasal choroid (281, 239, and 195 μm). Macular choroidal thickness in the pediatric population is not significantly thicker than that of healthy adults. Differences are more remarkable in the temporal side of the fovea.

The Relationship Between Axial Length and Choroidal Thickness in Eyes With High Myopia

To investigate the choroidal thickness in highly myopic eyes with no history of choroidal neovascularization or ocular surgery, and to correlate it with axial length, age, and spherical equivalent. Retrospective, comparative, noninterventional case series. A total of 120 eyes of 83 patients with high myopia (spherical equivalent ≥-6 diopters or axial length ≥26mm) and 96 eyes of 62 healthy patients were studied in a clinical setting. Eyes with prior vitreoretinal surgery or laser or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy were excluded. Eyes were imaged using optical coherence tomography employing a 6-mm line, reference position "Choroid," and image averaging 50. Choroidal thickness was manually measured from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid-scleral junction at 500-μm intervals up to 2500μm nasal and temporal to the fovea. Statistical analysis was performed. The high myopia group mean age was 54.4 ± 18.2 years (range, 18-99) and mean axial length was 29.17 ± 2.44mm (range, 26.00-35.63). Mean macular choroidal thickness was 115.5 ± 85.3μm (range, 6.9-436.0). The choroid was thickest temporally (134μm), then subfoveally (130μm), and was thinnest in the nasal area (68μm). This pattern differed markedly from the control eyes. In the high myopia group, axial length had the best correlation with choroidal thickness (r= -0.740; P < .001). Choroidal thickness decreased 25.9 ± 2.1μm for each additional millimeter. Axial length is especially associated with choroidal thickness in high myopia. Choroidal thickness profile in highly myopic patients differs from that in emmetropic patients.