Subfoveal Choroidal Research Articles

Assessment of choroidal vascularity and choriocapillaris blood perfusion in Chinese preschool-age anisometropic hyperopic amblyopia children.

To determine the macular and peripapillary area choroid microstructure parameters of hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia eyes and compare to fellow and age-matched control eyes. To assess the correlation between the axial length (AL), choroidal thickness (CT) and choroid microstructure parameters. This cross-sectional comparative, non-interventional study involved 52 hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia children and 48 age-matched heathy controls. 52 eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia and 48 age-matched control eyes were studied. The peripapillary and subfoveal CT were determined. The total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) of the subfoveal and peripapillary choroid were measured. In addition, the correlation between the AL, CT and choroid microstructure parameters were calculated. The peripapillary and subfoveal CT of the amblyopic eyes was significantly thicker than the fellow and control eyes (all P < 0.05). The subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal SA, LA and TCA of the amblyopic eyes were significantly increased than that of the fellow and control eyes (all P < 0.05). The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) values of the amblyopic eye were significantly different among the three groups (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between AL and subfoveal CT (SFCT), LA and TCA levels (P < 0.001, P = 0.039, P = 0.027, respectively). Spherical equivalent (SE) was positive correlated with SFCT, LA and TCA levels (P = 0.456, 0.229 and 0.240, respectively; all P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between SFCT, SE, LA, SA, TCA and CVI levels (all P < 0.05). The subfoveal and peripapillary CT of amblyopic children abnormally increased and correlated with shorter AL and higher SE. The choroidal structure of the amblyopic eyes was different from the fellow and control eyes, the hyperopic anisometropic amblyopic eyes had significantly thicker sub-foveal choroid, higher LA, SA, and TCA. AL and CT affect choroidal structure and vascular density. Choroidal blood flow may be increased in amblyopic eyes. The larger LA, SA, TCA, and lower CVI were characteristic of the amblyopic eye.

Beta zone parapapillary atrophy in elderly Chinese

PurposeAssess the beta zone parapapillary atrophy in elderly Chinese.Patients and methodsThe Beijing Eye Study 2011 is a population-based cross-sectional study, which includes 3468 patients with the average age of 64.5 ± 9.8 years. The beta zone of parapapillary atrophy was captured and analyzed morphometrically by using colour optic disc photographs.ResultsThe beta zone was found in 1358 (39.9%) eyes, measuring 0.37 ± 0.84 mm2 in size, 203.5 ± 81.8° in circumferential angle, 0.36 ± 0.27 mm in the maximum radial extent, the most often and longest in the temporal peripapillary region, followed by the temporal inferior region and the temporal superior region, the nasal region at least. Beta zone has statistically significant association with male gender (P = 0.001), myopic refractive error (P = 0.003), thinner retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P<0.001), thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (P<0.001), bigger size of optic disc size (P<0.001). The size of beta zone has statistically significant association with longer axial length (P = 0.004)，increasing age (P<0.001), urban (P = 0.025), cardiovascular disease history (P = 0.025), with age related macular degeneration (P = 0.038), myopic ametropia (P<0.001), thinner retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.001), thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (P<0.001), bigger size of optic disc size (P = 0.001).ConclusionThe population prevalence of beta zone was 39.9% in elderly Chinese. The area of the beta zone has statistically significant association with age, urban, the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer, age related macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease history, axial length, myopic refractive error, size of optic disc size, the thickness of subfoveal choroid.

Peripapillary and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Retinal Vein Occlusions.

This work aimed to longitudinally assess the peripapillary (PPCT) and subfoveal (SFCT) choroidal thickness (CT), in patients diagnosed with central (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO), correlating SFCT with central macular thickness (CMT) and PPCT with peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFL). This was a retrospective longitudinal study of 71 eyes from 71 patients with treatment-naïve retinal vein occlusion (24 CRVO and 40 BRVO). Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT, Spectralis HRA-OCT, Heidelberg) was used to measure PPCT, SFCT, pRNFL and CMT of the affected and fellow eyes at baseline (acute phase) and at 3 and 9 months post anti-VEGF treatment. IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Affected eyes presented a thicker baseline PPCT and SFCT compared to their fellow eyes both in CRVO and BRVO (p < 0.05). Both groups presented a significant decrease of PPCT in the affected eyes at 3 months compared to baseline (p < 0.05). At 9 months, compared to 3 months, PPCT remained stable (p > 0.05). Similarly, affected eyes' SFCT significantly decreased at 3 months (p < 0.05) in both groups. At 9 months, compared to 3 months, SFCT decreased in the CRVO patients (p = 0.047) but remained stable in the BRVO patients (p = 0.850). No correIations between SFCT and CMT were seen at any timepoint in both groups (p > 0.05). PPCT correlates with pRNFL in CRVO at 3 months, although no other correlations were found during the follow-up. In BRVO, PPCT did not show any significant correlation with pRNFL. Both in CRVO and BRVO eyes, PPCT and SFCT at diagnosis are significantly thicker compared to the fellow eye, suggesting a possible increase in CT immediately after the occlusion, which is followed by a decrease at an early follow-up stage.

Comparison of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Values with Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Changes in choroidal thickness may be associated with increased severity of diabetic retinopathy and may occur simultaneously or even earlier than diabetic retinopathy. This study aims to compare the value of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) with the severity of RD in patients with type 2 DM without RD with NPDR at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital Padang, Indonesia.&#x0D; Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analytic observational study. The study was conducted on 36 eyes obtained from 29 study subjects. Data analysis was performed with the help of SPSS to determine the ratio of SCT thickness in diabetic retinopathy patients, p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: The thickest mean SCT value was found in the type 2 DM group without RD (328.78 + 14.78 mm) and the thinnest in the severe NPDR group (234,22 + 12,30 mm).&#x0D; Conclusion: The more severe the severity of diabetic retinopathy, the thinner the SCT (subfoveal choroidal thickness).

Characteristics and treatment response of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in highly myopic eyes

BackgroundTo compare the characteristics and treatment responses of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) between highly myopic and non-highly myopic eyes.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with PCV at the clinic of National Taiwan University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. The diseased eyes were grouped per refractive error and axial length at diagnosis. Imaging data were used to retrieve the PCV characteristics, and electronic medical records were used to retrieve the treatment responses.ResultsAmong 116 eyes with PCV, 11 eyes of 10 patients were highly myopic; seven of these patients were women. All highly myopic eyes showed a thin subfoveal choroid, while three eyes had a pachychoroid phenotype with significant focal choroidal thickening. After treatment with either intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or both, best-corrected visual acuity was better in the high-myopia group at 1 year. Visual acuity at presentation and the presence of feeder vessels were found to be predictors of the visual outcome.ConclusionsIn this study we reported, to the best of our knowledge, the largest cohort of PCV in highly myopic eyes to date. Female predominance, lower incidence of subretinal haemorrhage, and a thin choroid with a focal pachychoroid phenotype were found to characterise PCV in highly myopic eyes. Visual acuity transiently improved after either anti-VEGF monotherapy or combination therapy with PDT.

Risk factors for myopic choroidal neovascularization-related macular atrophy after anti-VEGF treatment.

PurposeThe study aimed to evaluate risk factors for macular atrophy (MA) associated with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) during long-term follow-up after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in highly myopic eyes.MethodsThe medical records of patients who received intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents as mCNV treatment and were followed-up for more than 36 months were retrospectively reviewed. The risk factors for the development of mCNV-MA, which is the fovea-involving patchy atrophy lesion adjacent to mCNV, were investigated using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsA total of 82 eyes (74 patients) were included in the study. The mean age at anti-VEGF treatment was 56.3 ± 12.5 years (range, 26–77), and the mean follow-up period was 76.3 ± 33.5 months (range, 36–154). During follow-up, mCNV-MA developed in 27 eyes (32.9%), and its occurrence was estimated to be 24.5% at 3 years and 37.3% at 5 years after the first anti-VEGF treatment. Old age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.054, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.018–1.091; P = 0.003) and greater CNV size at baseline (HR = 2.396, CI: 1.043–5.504; P = 0.040) were significant factors for mCNV-MA development. Eyes with a thinner subfoveal choroid were more likely to show faster enlargement of the mCNV-MA during follow-up.ConclusionsIn mCNV eyes treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, older age and greater mCNV size at baseline were risk factors for the development of MA during long-term follow-up, which was associated with a poor visual prognosis.

Personalized Predictive Modeling of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Changes for Myopic Adolescents after Overnight Orthokeratology.

The changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness after orthokeratology are crucial in myopia retardation; this study aimed to identify the risk factors that could be incorporated into a predictive model for subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) that would provide further personalized and clinically specific information for myopia control. A one-year prospective study was conducted in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Basic information (age, gender, and height) was collected from all subjects. Initial spherical equivalent, axial length, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured, and the ocular environmental factors were also collected. All the measured parameters were recorded in the follow-up period for one year. After the analysis of univariate analysis, statistically significant factors were substituted into the multivariate three-level model. Thirty-three adolescents aged 8–14 years old were enrolled in this study; the results show that the subfoveal choroidal thickness in both eyes changed significantly after 12 months of lens wearing (pR < 0.0001, pL < 0.0001). The axial length was negatively correlated with the change in the SFChT after 12 months of lens wearing (r = −0.511, p = 0.002). After multilevel model analysis, the statistically significant factor was shown to have an important influence on the changes in the subfoveal choroidal thickness, which was the average near-work time. This suggested that the SFChT personal predictions can be made regarding changes in myopic adolescents after orthokeratology using the factor of daily average near-work time. Clinical practitioners will benefit from the results by obtaining a better understanding of the effects of orthokeratology on choroid and myopia progression.

Evaluating the Quantitative Foveal Avascular Zone and Retino-Choroidal Vessel Density Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in a Healthy Indian Population.

Objective: The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is the round capillary-free zone within the macula and is supplied only by a single-layered parafoveal capillary arcade. This study aimed to evaluate the quantitative FAZ and retino-choroidal vessel density (VD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in a healthy Indian population.Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted for evaluating the quantitative FAZ and retino-choroidal VD of 200 eyes of 100 healthy Indian subjects, including 62 males and 38 females (age range 17-50 years) having the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logMAR 0 (20/20; 6/6) and spherical equivalent refractive error of not more than 1 D. The subjects were examined using OCTA automated software on spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT; Nidek RS 3000 Advance 2; Nidek, Inc., Fremont, CA) on a 3 x 3 mm OCTA macular scan centred on the fovea. The FAZ size, perimeter and circularity index, VD in superficial, deep, and outer retina (OR), outer retinal chorio-capillaries (ORCC), chorio-capillaries (CC) and choroid (C) were analysed in the circular and quadrant-segmented zones. A correlation was found between the FAZ size, perimeter and circularity, and VD in retino-choroidal layers, and between BCVA, age, central foveal thickness (CFT) and sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and OCTA parameters.Results: The FAZ and surrounding vascular arcades were intact in all eyes, showing either a vertical or horizontal oval-shaped symmetrical formation without gaps, holes or interruption of the capillary network. The mean value of CFT was 237.5±26.0 microns and SFCT was 269.6±53.0 microns. The mean FAZ area was 0.42±0.23 mm2, FAZ perimeter was 3.3±1.0 mm and FAZ circularity index was 0.46±0.1. The mean VD in superficial capillary plexus (SCP) was 23.87±10.66, in deep capillary plexus (DCP) was 16.03±9.90, in OR was 13.22± 12.27, in ORCC was 39.74±14.32, in CC was 37.02±16.43 and in choroid was 37.43±16.76. The increasing order of VD in different retino-choroidal layers was OR<DCP<SCP<CC<C<ORCC. The FAZ area and perimeter had a statistically significant (SS) negative correlation with the VD in SCP, DCP and OR, while the FAZ perimeter additionally had a SS negative correlation with the VD in the choroid. The FAZ circularity had a SS positive correlation with VD in SCP, DCP and OR. There was no SS correlation between the age of subjects and OCTA parameters. The BCVA had a SS correlation with only one parameter, i.e. ORCC foveal (r=-0.15; p=0.03). There was a SS negative correlation between CFT and FAZ area and perimeter, and a SS positive correlation between the CFT and VD in SCP, DCP and OR. There was a SS positive correlation between the SFCT and VD in different layers including SCP, DCP, ORCC, CC and choroid.Conclusions: VD is the highest in the ORCC and lowest in the OR segment. A better VD in SCP, DCP and OR is associated with a reduced FAZ area/FAZ perimeter and an increased FAZ circularity index. A lower VD in the ORCC is associated with worse BCVA. In a healthy subject, a relatively thicker foveal region is likely to have better vascularity of SCP, DCP and OR and a smaller FAZ area/FAZ perimeter. In the absence of diseases, relatively thicker sub-foveal choroid is expected to have better vascularity of SCP, DCP, ORCC, CC and choroid.

Morphological characteristics of the subfoveal choroid and their association with visual acuity in postoperative patients with unilateral congenital cataracts.

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the subfoveal choroid and explore the possible association of these characteristics with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in postoperative patients with unilateral congenital cataracts (CCs).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Subfoveal choroidal structures were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging (EDI-OCT). Several choroidal parameters, including subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI), were compared between pseudophakic and contralateral healthy eyes. Then, the choroidal parameters were compared between pseudophakic eyes with a poor BCVA (>0.3 logMAR) and those with a good BCVA (≤0.3 logMAR). The performance of the choroidal parameters in detecting a poor BCVA in pseudophakic eyes was evaluated by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between choroidal parameters and BCVA in postoperative patients with unilateral CCs.ResultsA total of 55 postoperative patients with unilateral CCs were included. The age was 6.67±2.64 years. Thinner SFCT and smaller TCA, LA, SA and CVI were observed in pseudophakic eyes than in contralateral healthy eyes. In addition, in pseudophakic eyes, those with a poor BCVA had a thinner SFCT and a smaller TCA, LA and SA than those with a good BCVA. TCA [AUC, 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62, 0.88], LA (AUC, 0.74; 0.61, 0.87) and SA (AUC, 0.74; 0.60, 0.87) showed acceptable discriminatory abilities on BCVA. Pseudophakic eyes with TCA ≤0.594 mm² [odds ratio (OR), 8.90; 95% CI: 1.99, 39.94; P=0.004], LA ≤0.402 mm² (OR 8.90; 95% CI: 1.99, 39.94; P=0.004) or SA ≤0.218 mm (OR, 6.53; 95% CI: 1.69, 25.27; P=0.007) were more likely to have a poor visual acuity.ConclusionsThe pseudophakic eyes in patients with unilateral CCs had thinner SFCT and smaller TCA, LA, SA and CVI than the contralateral healthy eyes. In pseudophakic eyes, smaller TCA, LA and SA values were associated with a poor visual acuity.

Bacillary layer detachment in a patient with serpiginoid choroiditis.

Bacillary layer detachment in a patient with serpiginoid choroiditis.

Choroidal Thickness Measured by Ocular Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Body Mass Index in Healthy Saudi Women: A Cross-sectional Controlled Study.

Obesity is one of the major public health problems globally, especially among women. Obesity is associated with glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Although it is clear that the anatomy and physiologic functions of the choroid may be affected by obesity, data investigating the effect of obesity on the choroid is limited and/or unavailable for the Saudi population. To assess Choroidal Thickness (CT) changes in a sample of healthy Saudi Arabian women with different Body Mass Index (BMI) using Spectral-domain Ocular Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). A total of 140 healthy women aged 18-29 years (mean age ± standard deviation SD, 24.5 ± 1.7 years) with different BMI, axial length (AL) ≤ 24 ± 1.0 mm, and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of ≤ ±2.0 dioptres were enrolled for the study. The participants were age and refractionmatched, and grouped into underweight (BMI ≤ 18.0 kg/m2) (n = 30), normal (control group) (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) (n = 43), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2) (n=37), and obese study groups (≥ 30.0 kg/m2) (n = 30). SD-OCT imaging was performed on one eye of each participant. Comparisons among groups for all locations and the associations between CT and other variables were examined. The mean CT at the subfoveal region (285 ± 31 μm, range: 203 μm to 399 μm) was significantly greater, and it was the lowest in the nasal region (248 ± 26 μm, range 154 to 304) compared with other locations, across all the groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, the subfoveal choroid was thinner in the obese group (mean difference: 22.6 μm, 95% Confidence Interval; CI: 8.6 μm to 36.6 μm; p = 0.02) and across all locations (p < 0.05) but thicker at the temporal location in the underweight group (12.4 μm, 95% CI: -23.7 μm to -1.04 μm; p = 0.01). No significant association of subfoveal CT with any of the measured parameters, including age (p-values ranged from 0.10 to 0.90), was found. BMI may have an influence on the CT of healthy individuals and could be a cofounder in research studies on CT. It is, therefore, recommended that BMI should be evaluated in the clinical diagnosis and management of conditions associated with choroid in healthy individuals.

Association Between Retinal Layer Thickness and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Retinal layer thickness is hypothesized to be related to cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). However, longitudinal cohort studies of the healthy older population are scarce. To investigate the association between retinal layer thickness and cognitive impairment and future cognitive decline in a community-based population cohort. A total of 430 randomly sampled community-dwelling Korean individuals 60 years or older participated in the baseline assessment (mean [SD], 76.3 [6.6] years) 215 of whom completed a mean (SD) of 5.4 (0.6) years (range, 4.1-6.2 years) of follow-up. Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, the study team assessed the thickness of 6 retinal layers in the macular region, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFLs), and the subfoveal choroid at baseline. Age, sex, education, diabetes, hypertension, and apolipoprotein E4 gene status. Retinal layer thickness and cognitive function test scores were analyzed. This study included 430 participants (female, 208 [48.6%]). Baseline macular RNFL thickness was associated with baseline Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) score (coefficient [β] = 0.077; 95% CI, 0.054-0.100; P = .04 for total macular area) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (coefficient [β] = 0.082; 95% CI, 0.063-0.101; P = .03 for total macular area). A thinner baseline total macular RNFL thickness (lowest quartile, <231 μm) was associated with a larger decline in the CERAD and MMSE scores during the follow-up period (P = .003 and P = .01, respectively). Furthermore, participants with baseline total macular RNFL thickness below the lowest quartile cutoff value presented a greater decline in cognitive scores and a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease than those with RNFL thickness above the lowest quartile cutoff value. In this study, macular RNFL thickness could be used as a prognostic biomarker of long-term cognitive decline in adults 60 years or older. However, to confirm these results, further large-scale population-based studies should be performed.

Choroidal Thickening During Young Adulthood and Baseline Choroidal Thickness Predicts Refractive Error Change.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the age-related change in choroidal thickness (ChT) and test the hypothesis that baseline ChT is predictive of refractive error change in healthy young adults.MethodsParticipants underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging and autorefraction at 20 (baseline) and 28 years old. The enhanced depth imaging mode on the SD-OCT was used to obtain images of the choroid. Scans were exported from the SD-OCT and analyzed with a custom software that automatically measures the central ChT. The longitudinal change in subfoveal ChT and association between baseline subfoveal ChT and 8-year change in refractive error (spherical equivalent) were determined using linear mixed models.ResultsIn total, 395 eyes of 198 participants (44% men; 18–22 years at baseline) were included. Over 8 years, mean spherical equivalent decreased by 0.25 diopters (D) and axial length increased by 0.09 mm. Subfoveal choroid thickened by 1.3 µm/year (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6–2.0), but this was reduced by 0.9 µm/year (95% CI = 1.6–0.2) for every 1 mm increase in axial length. For every 10 µm increase in baseline ChT, average annual change in spherical equivalent and axial length reduced by 0.006 D/year and 0.003 mm/year, respectively.ConclusionsIn a community-based cohort of young adults, the choroid continued to change during early adulthood. Choroidal thickening was less in eyes that were longer at baseline, and the choroid thinned in eyes that showed myopia progression. The association between baseline ChT and longitudinal changes in spherical equivalent and axial length supports the hypothesis that ChT may be predictive of refractive error development and/or myopia progression.

Peripheral and macular polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: A retrospective comparative case series.

To compare clinical and imaging features and treatment outcomes between eyes having peripheral polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and macular PCV. In this retrospective comparative case series, confirmed cases of peripheral and macular PCV cases on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were included. The various demographic features, imaging characteristics and clinical course between cases with peripheral and macular PCV were compared and analysed. Fifteen eyes of 12 patients and 22 eyes of 20 patients were diagnosed with peripheral PCV and macular PCV respectively based on polyps seen on ICGA. Mean age at presentation in peripheral and macular PCV groups were 76.3 ± 8.78 and 69.1 ± 8.64 years respectively (p = 0.038). Mean logMAR visual acuity in the peripheral and macular PCV group was 0.423 ± 0.568 and 0.535 ± 0.513 respectively (p = 0.595). Peripheral subretinal hemorrhage was noted commonly in the peripheral PCV group (n = 10, 66%) and hard exudates were common in the macular PCV (19, 86%) group. Subfoveal choroid was significantly thinner in peripheral PCV group compared to macular PCV group (215.2 ± 39.94 vs 283.3 ± 50.08; p = 0.001). At final follow-up visit, 50% eyes (n = 11) in macular PCV group were still active and 87% (n = 13) eyes in the peripheral PCV showed an inactive disease (p = 0.035). Peripheral and macular PCV cases are two separate clinical entities having distinct pathogenesis, clinical and imaging features and treatment outcomes. Further studies are needed for understanding the pathomechanism in these distinct disease entities.

Baseline predictors for good visual gains after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization

To investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) biomarkers for good visual outcomes in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. Patients diagnosed with mCNV via multimodal imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographic data and biomarkers were collected. Anti-VEGF treatment based on a pro re nata (PRN) regimen was conducted on all eyes. The visual gains of ≥ 15 ETDRS letters or < 15 letters at 12-month were classified into two groups. Regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with significant best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement. Among 34 patients, 17 eyes and 17 eyes were classified into the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in qualitative OCTA biomarkers between the two groups. The ≥ 15 letters group had significantly thicker subfoveal choroid thickness (SFCT) (79.97 ± 33.15 vs. 50.66 ± 18.31, P = 0.003), more ellipsoid zone integrity (58.8% vs. 23.5%, P = 0.037) and lower levels of fractal dimension (1.45 ± 0.101 vs. 1.53 ± 0.082, P = 0.031) than the < 15 letters group. SFCT and the ellipsoid zone integrity were correlated with 15 letters or more VA improvement in both univariable and multivariable analyses (P = 0.023 and P = 0.044, respectively). Thicker SFCT and integrity of the ellipsoid zone at baseline were associated with greater visual gains at 12 months. OCTA biomarkers seem to play a less important role in predicting the visual outcome of mCNV.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Systemic Hypertension and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Patients

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Systemic Hypertension and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Patients

Effects of mild- and moderate-intensity illumination on short-term axial length and choroidal thickness changes in young adults.

Previous studies have shown that time spent outdoors is protective against myopia development in children. In this study, we examined the effects of 500 and 1000lux of illumination to the eye on axial length (AL) and choroidal thickness (CT) changes in young adults. Fifteen participants (mean age, 21.60years [2.16]) with a mean refraction of -0.34 D (0.37) were exposed to 500 and 1000lux of illumination for 120min in a dark room on two different days, using a pair of light-emitting glasses. Ocular measurements were repeated on an additional day in darkness (~5lux). Ocular biometrics and CT were measured and analysed in the right eye before the light exposure (0min), after 30, 60 and 120min of exposure and 30min after light offset to measure recovery using the Lenstar biometer and the Cirrus optical coherence tomographer, respectively. Exposure to 500 and 1000lux of illumination resulted in a significant reduction in AL at 30, 60 and 120min compared to darkness (AL change at 120min: darkness, +0.020mm [0.004]; 500lux, -0.006mm [0.004]; 1000 lux, -0.013mm [0.004]; p<0.001). Exposure to 500 and 1000lux caused a significant overall thickening of the subfoveal choroid compared to darkness (CT change across 120min: darkness, -0.010mm [0.007]; 500lux, +0.006mm [0.005]; 1000lux, +0.009mm [0.003], p=0.02). Ocular changes were not significantly different between the two illumination levels (p>0.05) and returned to baseline within 30min of light offset. Exposure to mild- or moderate-intensity illumination on the eye can induce a significant short-term reduction in AL and an increase in CT in young adults. Future studies on larger cohorts with varying light intensities are needed to better understand the effects of ocular illumination on AL changes in humans.

Evaluation of the impact of childhood obesity on retrobulbar hemodynamics and retinal microvasculature.

To evaluate changes in retrobulbar ocular blood flow parameters by using Colour Doppler Imaging (CDI) and changes in foveal microvasculature by using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) in pediatric obese patients and to compare them with a group of healthy children. Children diagnosed with obesity without hypertension and diabetes (39 subjects, obese group) and age-matched healthy controls (26 subjects, control group) underwent CDI and OCTA imaging. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and resistivity index from ophthalmic, central retinal and posterior ciliary arteries on CDI; superficial and deep capillary plexus vascular density and foveal avascular zone area on OCTA imaging were obtained in each group. Central foveal and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were also measured. CDI and OCTA parameters were compared between two groups. Peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities were found to be significantly lower in obese children than in controls in all three examined arteries (p < 0.05). Resistivity index values were similar between the groups. OCTA imaging did not reveal significant changes in superficial and deep capillary plexus vascular densities and foveal avascular zone area across analysed retinal regions between the groups. Subfoveal choroid was thicker in obese group than in control group (325.89 ± 52.77 µm vs. 304.52 ± 21.76 µm, p = 0.04). An apparent decrease was present in retrobulbar hemodynamics in obese children. This arises the possibility of early ocular macrovascular compromise rather than retinal microvascular impairment in childhood obesity.

Acute Effects of Coffee on Peripapillary and Subfoveal Choroidal Parameters in Young Healthy Subjects.

To evaluate the acute effects of coffee on peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal structures using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). A total of 28 healthy individuals (study group) and 28 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured at baseline, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h, following coffee (75 mg caffeine/200 ml) intake in the study group and the same amount of water in the control group. Choroidal images were binarized to the luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and total choroidal area (TCA) using ImageJ software. Similar to the CT, the peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal vascularity indices (CVIs) were calculated at the same time points in both groups. CT and CVI measurements of four peripapillary quadrants displayed no significant difference at baseline and all-time points in both groups (p > 0.05). In the study group, SFCT was found to be significantly lower (at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h) than the baseline measurement (p < 0.05). Additionally, subfoveal LA, TCA, and CVI decreased in all-time points compared with baseline measurements (p < 0.05, for all). This was not true for the subfoveal SA (p > 0.05). No significant difference was found between the respective SFCT and subfoveal CVI measurements in the control group (p > 0.05, for all). Our study revealed that peripapillary choroidal thickness and CVI did not change following a cup of coffee intake, while subfoveal CT, LA, TCA, and CVI significantly decreased for at least 4 h.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings of retinal vascular structures in children with celiac disease

To investigate the vasculature of the retina and choroid in children with celiac disease using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). A total of 60 children with celiac disease and 71 healthy controls were included in this study. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination and OCTA imaging. The vascular structures and the vascular density (VD) in the superficial and deep retinal vascular zones, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and foveal density were automatically determined using the software 3 × 3 OCTA and AngioAnalytics. Choroid thickness was calculated manually by retinal specialists. No statistically significant difference in VD was found between subjects and controls. The FAZ was larger in the celiac group than in controls (0.306 ± 0.12 mm2 vs 0.287 ± 0.11 mm2), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.383). Subfoveal choroid thickness was thinner in the celiac group (309.9 ± 76.97 μm) than in the control group (328 ± 68.51 μm), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.157) CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences in VD, mean FAZ or mean subfoveal choroidal thickness were found in children with CD compared to controls.