Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Values Research Articles

Comparison of ocular posterior segment parameters in the pediatric population with migraine without aura and tension-type headache.

This study aims to compare the posterior ocular structure parameters in children with migraine without aura (MWA), tension-type headache (TTH), and a healthy control group. The study included 31 patients with MWA, 29 patients with TTH, and 38 healthy controls between 6 and 18 years of age. For all participants, the detailed eye examination and measurements including peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), macular vessel densities and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCTA), were obtained from the patient files. The mean age was 12.1±3.3 years in MWA patients, 12.4±2.8 years in TTH patients, and 11.9±3.8 years in the healthy controls (p=0.844). Among the groups, the mean pRNFL thickness, CMT, and SCT values were lowest in the MWA group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.621, p=0.854 and p=0.201, respectively). The mean and four-quadrant (superior, inferior, temporal, nasal) pRNFL thicknesses, the CMT, and the SCT were not statistically significant between the groups (p=0.621, p=0.500, p=0.186, p=0.565, p=0.744, p=0.854 and p=0.201, respectively). The macular vascular densities were lower in MWA patients than in the other two groups, and there was a statistically significant difference between the groups only in the nasal quadrant of the deep retinal capillary plexus (p = 0.014). There were also no statistically significant differences between the groups in the superficial and deep FAZ area parameters (p=0.652 and p=0.985). This study suggested that differential diagnosis between MWA and TTH can be difficult in childhood, as these conditions, which can present with ocular symptoms, may also be characterized by changes in posterior segment parameters. Long-term studies incorporating OCT-A in larger patient populations may provide valuable insights into retinal changes associated with these two distinct headache spectrums.

Choroidal Vascularity Index and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessed with Enhanced-Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). Methods The study included 56 eyes of 56 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 65 eyes of 65 age- and sex-matched healthy normal participants. CVIs of all participants were measured by transferring enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images to the image J program that is software used for image binarization and compared between the 2 groups. SFCT, central macular thickness (CMT) and optic disc parameters of all participants were measured with spectral domain OCT and compared. Results The mean CVI values of the RA and control groups were 65.9 ± 1.52 and 68.56 ± 1.62, respectively, and were significantly lower in the RA group (p = 0.001). Mean SFCT values of the RA and control groups were 290.11 ± 15.18 and 332.88 ± 11.04, respectively, and SFCT was significantly lower in the RA group (p = 0.001). RA patients have thin SFCT and low CVI. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of CMT and optic disc parameters. Conclusion RA patients have lower CVI and thinner SFCT than healthy participants.

Evaluation of retinal and choroidal vascular structures in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To evaluate the optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) findings and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) of patients followed with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by comparing them with the healthy control group (HCG). This prospective study included 33 patients diagnosed with OCD and 32 HCG patients who followed up for at least 3 months. OCT-A images were obtained to evaluate the microvascular circulation, and enhanced HD line images were obtained for the CVI calculation of all patients. Statistical analysis results revealed that the rates of superficial vascular density in the fovea region and deep vascular density in the parafovea region decreased in the OCD group compared to the HCG group ( P = 0.003 and P = 0.010, respectively). Subfoveal choroidal thickness values of the OCD group were lower than those of the HCG group ( P = 0.008). While total choroidal area and lumen area values were lower in the OCD group than in the HCG group ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively); CVI values were similar in both groups ( P = 0.436). The use of the OCT-A device, which is a non-invasive method for detecting retinal and choroidal changes in OCD cases, may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.

Choroidal Morphology and Systemic Circulation Changes During the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Japanese Women.

Changes in systemic circulatory dynamics and choroidal thickness are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the time course of changes in choroidal morphology during normal menstrual cycles in healthy women using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). This prospective study included 15 left eyes of 15 healthy Japanese women (mean age, 20.2 ± 0.8 years) with a normal menstrual cycle. Using EDI-OCT, the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) was manually measured during the late follicular and mid-luteal phases. Intraocular pressure (IOP), systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MBP), and heart rate (HR) were also evaluated during these phases. SBP, DBP, and MBP were significantly elevated in the mid-luteal phase. The average SCT was significantly decreased in the mid-luteal phase. In contrast, there were no significant changes in IOP or HR. These findings indicate that choroidal thickness decreases during the mid-luteal phase in healthy Japanese women with normal menstrual cycles depending on systemic circulatory dynamics. However, since the difference in the SCT values between the late follicular and the mid-luteal phase is not large (7 μm), the menstrual cycle may have little influence on the interpretation of choroidal thickness data in clinical practice.

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...

OCT-A evaluation of the retinal and choroidal structures of patients with a history of radiotherapy due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BackgroundTo perform the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) evaluation of the microvascular structures of the retina and choroidal tissue in asymptomatic patients who received radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to compare the results to those of healthy individuals. MethodsOphthalmological examinations were performed in all asymptomatic patients without vascular or systemic diseases, or fundus findings who had received radiotherapy at least two years earlier. Then, OCT-A scans were obtained. Foveal, parafoveal, and whole retinal thicknesses, vessel densities in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses, subfoveal choroidal thickness, the non-flow area in the superficial capillary plexus, and the choriocapillaris flow area were measured and compared to the values of the healthy control group. ResultsThe radiotherapy group had significantly lower deep capillary plexus vascular density and subfoveal choroidal thickness values and significantly higher choriocapillaris flow area values compared to the control group. ConclusionsWe consider that OCT-A is useful in the early diagnosis of radiation retinopathy that may develop during follow-up in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have received radiotherapy.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness and choroidal vascular index in patients using combined oral contraceptive pills

Purpose To evaluate the choroidal thickness and choroidal vascular index (CVI) in healthy women using the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCp). Methods This prospective study included 30 women using COCp (3 mg drospirenone/0.03 mg ethinylestradiol) for contraception for at least 1 year and 30 healthy women who did not use COCp. Intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL) and body mass index (BMI) values of all participants were recorded. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) and choroidal thickness at 1500 micron distance in nasal and temporal regions (NCT, TCT) were measured through optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Luminal, stromal and total choroidal area values were evaluated by binarization method. The ratio of the luminal choroidal area to the total choroidal area was determined as the CVI value. Results There was no statistically significant difference in IOP and AL values between the two groups at no significant difference in age and BMI index (p > 0.05, for all). SCT, NCT and TCT values were no significant difference in the two groups (p > 0.05, for all). Luminal and stromal choroidal area values were found to be lower in the group using COCp (p = 0.01, p = 0.02 respectively). The CVI value was 62.1 ± 3.6% in the COCp group and 65.6 ± 4.3% in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of CVI value (p = 0.002). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate CVI in women using COCp, and CVI was found to be lower in individuals using COCp. Therefore, CVI can be used in the follow-up of possible ocular pathologies that may develop in individuals using COCp.

Longitudinal Choroidal Development in Preterm Infants

To characterize changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness in preterm infants from 30 to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA). The prospective, observational Study of Eye Imaging in Preterm infantS (BabySTEPS) enrolled infants eligible for retinopathy of prematurity screening per the American Association of Pediatrics guidelines. Infants imaged with an investigational, handheld OCT at ≥ 4 distinct imaging sessions between 30 to 60 weeks' PMA as part of BabySTEPS. Average choroidal thickness across the central subfoveal 1 mm in each eye at each time point was measured using custom segmentation software, and errors were manually corrected by a trained grader. We prospectively collected birth history data. A segmented mixed model was used to analyze the change in choroidal thickness as a function of PMA, birth weight, and gestational age (GA). Characterization of normative subfoveal choroidal thickness values and choroidal growth rate between 30 to 60 weeks' PMA. We included 592 imaging sessions of 79 preterm infants (152 eyes). Mean (± standard deviation) GA was 27.5 ± 2.5 weeks. Mean choroidal thickness was 141.4 ± 34.5 μm at 30 weeks, 272.2 ± 83.9 μm at 38 weeks, and 306.2 ± 77.4 μm between 56 and 60 weeks. Between 30 and 60 weeks' PMA, choroidal growth followed a biphasic model, with a linear growth rate of 14.8 μm per week (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6-16.0) from 30 until 38.4 weeks, then cessation of growth, with a growth rate of 0.3 μm per week (95% CI,-1.1 to 1.6) from 38.4 to 60 weeks. Infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW; < 1000 g) and extremely preterm (GA < 28 weeks) infants had significantly slower initial growth rates compared with very low and low birth weight and very preterm and preterm infants (ELBW 13.0 vs. 21.0 μm per week; P < 0.0001 and extremely preterm 13.2 vs. 18.0 μm per week; P= 0.003). Preterm infant choroidal thickness experiences rapid linear growth from 30 to 38 weeks' PMA, at which time growth nearly stops. These foundational measurements and identification of the impact of extremes of low birth weight and prematurity on choroidal development will be essential as researchers begin to understand the role of choroidal development in ocular and retinal health in human infants. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Long-term Comparison of Choroidal Thickness between Scleral Encircling and Combined with Trans-pars Plana Vitrectomy in Retinal Detachment

Purpose: To compare the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) before and after scleral encircling (SE), with or without trans-pars plana vitrectomy (TPPV), in patients with monocular primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent SE for monocular primary RRD between January 2019 and June 2021 and underwent optical coherence tomography during follow-up. SFCT was measured independently at three regions before the surgery and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the surgery. The values were manually analyzed by two independent ophthalmologists.Results: Of the 33 eyes included in the study, 18 (54%) underwent SE alone, while 15 (46%) underwent SE with TPPV. SFCT gradually decreased after surgery in all patients (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). The SFCT was significantly greater 6 months postoperatively in the SE alone group (260.51 ± 78.30 μm) compared to the SE with TPPV group (225.55 ± 75.24 μm) (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). Macular detachment patients had significantly greater preoperative SFCTs (276.46 ± 20 μm) compared to others (223.93 ± 20 μm) (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). Preoperative SFCT was significantly related to visual acuity (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05), while the remaining SFCT values did not have any significant effects.Conclusions: In primary RRD eyes, SFCT decreased over time after SE, more so when TPPV was also performed. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanism of SFCT change and its impact on RRD.

The effect of Nd:YAG Laser applied in the posterior capsule opacification on retinal and choroidal structures

PurposeTo assess the effect of neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd-YAG) laser procedure on the choroid and retina in patients who developed posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery. MethodsIn this study, 32 eyes of 30 patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser treatment for PCO were evaluated. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central macular thickness (CMT) with optical coherence tomography device (OCT), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) were measured. Choroidal vascular index (CVI) was calculated from HD line images obtained by spectral domain OCT with the software Image J. ResultsThe mean age of the patients participating in the study was 60.1 ± 8.9 years. There was no significant difference in IOP, CMT, RNFL, GCL, IPL and SCT values ​​in all comparisons before and after laser (p>0.05 for all values). While Nd:YAG laser pretreatment CVI was 63.2 ± 3.2%, it was 66.8 ± 2.9% at 1 week and 67.1 ± 2.6% at 1 month after laser treatment. A significant difference was detected in the comparison of pre-laser CVI and post-laser 1 week and 1 month CVI (p<0.05 for all values). DiscussionCVI was found to be significantly higher in the post-laser period in patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser. As far as the author knows, this study is the first research in the literature to evaluate this relationship. CVI can be used to evaluate choroidal vascular changes after Nd:YAG laser.

Evaluation of systemic immune-inflammatory index in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance The systemic immune-inflammatory index is a relatively new parameter and has been shown to increase in inflammatory diseases. Background The primary aim of this study was to investigate the systemic immune-inflammatory index in patients with wet-type age-related macular degeneration. The secondary aim was to determine the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, systemic immune-inflammatory index, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Methods This study retrospectively analysed patients with wet-type age-related macular degeneration between 2018 and 2022. Demographic data and peripheral complete blood count were obtained from the electronic medical record system. The most recent best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness values (within one month) for complete blood count were obtained from case sheets and the optical coherence tomography digital image database. The systemic immune-inflammatory index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were calculated. Age- and sex-matched controls were also generated. Results Thirty-three patients (23 males, 10 females) with wet-type age-related macular degeneration and 43 controls (24 males, 19 females) were included. The groups were similar in terms of age and sex (78.0 ± 6.3 vs. 75.6 ± 6.6 years, p = 0.59; p = 0.38 for sex). The systemic immune-inflammatory index was higher in the wet-type age-related macular degeneration group (460.5 vs. 440.4); however, this difference was not statistically significant. When the correlations between the systemic immune-inflammatory index, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR), central macular thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness were examined, there was only a moderate positive correlation between best-corrected visual acuity and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.46, p = 0.007). Conclusion There were no differences in the systemic immune-inflammatory index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio between the wet-type age-related macular degeneration and control groups. There was a positive correlation between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR). The systemic immune-inflammatory index was higher in patients with wet-type age-related macular degeneration than in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant.

Quantification of macular perfusion following panretinal photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy: An optical coherence tomography angiography study.

To assess the effects of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on the microvascular structure of the macula and central thickness of the macula and choroid via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). In this prospective clinical study, 43 eyes of 31 patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or early proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included. Before and at the third and sixth months after PRP, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, acircularity index (AI), foveal density (FD), and vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were evaluated using OCTA. The central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) were also measured after PRP. There was no difference between the FAZ area, AI, FD, and vessel density of the SCP and DCP before and at the third and sixth months after PRP (all p>0.05). The CMT value was higher at the third and sixth months than at baseline (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). The SCT value was lower at the third and sixth months than at baseline (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). PRP is a beneficial and reliable method that supports the integrity of the macular microvascular structure. After PRP, the CMT increases, and the SCT decreases.

The relationship between reduced choroidal thickness due to high plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and increased severity of diabetic retinopathy.

To evaluate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and the severity of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 68 cases, including 15 patients without diabetic retinopathy, 17 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, 16 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 20 healthy patients (control group), were enrolled in this study. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured manually using the enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scanning program, and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level was measured using a commercial micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The subfoveal choroidal thickness values and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels were significantly different between the four groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001). The subfoveal choroidal thickness values were significantly lower in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group than in the other three groups (no diabetic retinopathy, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and control groups; p<0.001, p=0.045, and p<0.001, respectively). The plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels were significantly higher in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group than in the other three groups (p<0.001, p<0.04, and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, a significant negative correlation was also found between plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and subfoveal choroidal thickness (p<0.001, r=-0.479). Asymmetrical dimethylarginine is an important marker of endothelial dysfunction and endogenous endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The severity of diabetic retinopathy was related to increased plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and reduced subfoveal choroidal thickness in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Evaluation of Choroidal Vascular Structure in Hyperopic Anisometropic Amblyopia.

The aim of the study was to investigate the choroidal structure of patients with anisohypermetropic amblyopia compared to that of healthy eyes in controls of the same age. The study comprises three groups: One group was the amblyopic eyes of patients with anisometropic hypermetropia (AE group), another group was the fellow eyes of patients with anisometropic hypermetropia (FE group), and a final group of healthy controls. Both the choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) values were obtained using the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) method of improved depth imaging (EDI-OCT; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Spectralis, Germany, Heidelberg). This study included 28 anisometropic amblyopic patients (AE and FE groups) and 35 healthy controls. Regarding the distribution of ages and sexes (p=0.813 and p=0.745), the groups were the same. The mean best-corrected visual acuity in AE, FE, and the control group was 0.58±0.76, 0.008±1.30, and 0.004±1.20 logMAR units, respectively. There was a significant difference in terms of CVI, luminal area (LA), and all the CT values between groups. Post hoc univariate analyses indicated that CVI and LA were significantly higher in AE compared to FE and the control group (p<0.05, for each). The temporal, nasal, and subfoveal CT values were considerably higher in AE compared to FE and the control groups (p<0.05, for each). However, there was no difference between FE and the control group (p>0.05, for each). The AE group had larger LA, CVI, and CT values compared to the FE and control groups. These results show that choroidal changes in amblyopic eyes in children are permanent in adulthood if untreated and are involved in the pathogenesis of amblyopia.

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).

The assesment of retina and optic disc vascular structures in people who received CoronaVac vaccine

IntroductionSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that is responsible for the current coronavirus disease pandemic and the vaccines currently developed are administered to prevent this infection. CoronaVac is a vaccine produced by the inactivated virus method. Ocular side effects such as anterior uveitis, optic neuritis, vision loss, episcleritis, allergic reaction and paracentral acute middle maculopathy have been reported after receiving CoronaVac vaccine. We assume that with this study, we can identify potential changes in posterior segment structures and posterior segment vascular density of people who received CoronaVac vaccine with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device. Material methodForty healthcare professionals who applied to the Health Sciences University Antalya Training and Research Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic for routine eye control were included in the study. The subjects who do not have any systemic condition and would be administered CoronaVac vaccine were chosen to assess. OCTA images of the patients before and within 1 week after vaccination were captured, then retinal and optic disc vascular values, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), choriocapillary blood flow (CBF), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) and retinal thickness were analyzed and compared. ResultsTwo of the 40 patients had burning and stinging in the eye (5%), two of the 40 patients had redness (5%) and itching (5%) in the eye. 36 patients did not have any ocular symptoms.No statistically significant difference was found in the retinal and optic disc vascular density values, FAZ, CBF, SCT and retinal thickness values ​​of the patients before and after vaccination. ConclusionThis is among the first studies in the literature to evaluate the changes in retinal and optic disc vascular values ​​in people who received CoronaVac vaccine. In this study, we observed that CoronaVac vaccine did not effect retinal and optic disc vascular density significantly.

Pachychoroid spectrum disease and choriocapillary flow analysis in patients with Cushing disease: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

To investigate the presence of pachychoroid spectrum disease (PSD) in patients with Cushing disease (CD) and to evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and choriocapillary flow using spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) with the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Thirty-two patients with CD and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in this observational study. All participants had a complete ophthalmic examination including SD-OCT with EDI and OCT-A, and were subjected to the Perceived Stress Scale test (PSS). All patients with CD had hormone test including 24-h urinary-free cortisol (UFC) and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We compared SFCT and choriocapillary vessel density (CVD) between the two groups and evaluated the presence of PSD. We investigated the association of hormone level, SFTC, CVD with the presence of CD; the association between the hormone level, SFTC, CVD, the CD disease activity, and duration with the presence of PSD in CD patients; and the association between SFTC and CVD with the hormone level, the CD disease activity, and duration in CD patients. Higher values of SFCT and CVD were associated with CD (β: 0.028, 95% CI: 0.014; 0.041; β: 0.912, 95%CI: 0.205; 1.62, respectively). Twelve patients with CD (37.5%) reported a PSD in at least one eye, whereas no subject was found in control group (p < 0.001); in particular, 11 CD patients (34%) presented pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) and 1 CD patient (3%) presented polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy/aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization (PCV/AT1). In patients with CD, a significant positive association between SFCT and PSD was found (β: 0.010, 95% CI 0.001; 0.019). A chronic state of hypercortisolism may have direct implications on the choroid. Patients with CD had higher SFCT values and a significant change in the choriocapillary flow compared to healthy controls. Moreover, PSD was observed only in CD patients.

Choroidal thickness affection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to disease activity

ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and detect the relation between disease activity and joint damage in patients with RA.BackgroundRA is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with various extra-articular organ manifestations including ocular manifestations.Patients and methodsWe included 100 eyes of 50 patients with RA and 100 eyes of 50 controls without RA in the study. Subfoveal CT was measured using enhanced-depth imaging optic coherence tomography. Disease activity score 28 (DAS-28) and Larsen score were calculated for each patient with RA and compared with measurements of CT.ResultsSubfoveal CT was statistically thinner in patients with RA than controls. The mean subfoveal CT for the RA group was 291.12 ± 36.48, whereas that for controls was 305.35 ± 24.08, with a P value of 0.024. Additionally, upon evaluating whether the DAS-28 score correlated with CT, there was a statistically significant correlation between them (P < 0.001). When patients with RA were grouped as having either active RA or RA in remission, subfoveal CT values were statistically significantly lower in the active group. We found a statistically significant correlation between the Larsen score of the patients with RA and the CT measurements (P < 0.001). Patients with thinner CT have more joint damage and higher Larsen scores.ConclusionSubfoveal CT was significantly thinner in patients with RA than in healthy controls, with a statistically significant correlation of CT measurements with both DAS-28 and Larsen scores.

Changes in intra-ocular pressure, ocular pulse amplitude and choroidal thickness after trabeculectomy

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness. Although high intra-ocular pressure (IOP) is the most important risk factor, ocular blood flow also has an effect on prognosis. Background The aim of this study was to investigate the IOP, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) and choroidal thickness (CT) changes after trabeculectomy and to determine whether trabeculectomy has an effect on ocular blood flow. Methods This retrospective, comparative case series was conducted with 33 eyes of 33 patients who underwent trabeculectomy due to uncontrolled glaucoma. The fellow eyes of 20 patients who were followed up with medical therapy were included as a control group. IOP and OPA were evaluated using a dynamic contour tonometer. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was obtained with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode of Spectralis-OCT. Results The mean IOP was 21.6 ± 6.3 mmHg at baseline and 13.8 ± 0.9 mmHg after trabeculectomy (p ˂ 0.001), and the mean OPA was 4.1 ± 1.5 at baseline and 2.6 ± 1.6 mmHg after trabeculectomy (p ˂ 0.001). The mean SFCT was 292.2 ± 63.2 µm at baseline and 303.8 ± 70.4 µm after trabeculectomy (p = 0.024). The change in OPA was strongly positively correlated with the change in IOP (r = 0.597, p ˂ 0.001) and SFCT change was positively correlated with OPA change (r = 0.34, p = 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of IOP, OPA and SFCT values measured after trabeculectomy (respectively, p = 0.264, p = 0.627 and p = 0.949). Conclusion The large IOP decrease following trabeculectomy causes a decrease in OPA and choroidal thickening. On the other hand, trabeculectomy has no effect on OPA change.

Evaluation and Comparison of Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Behçet Disease with versus without Ocular Involvement.

Purpose To assess the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with Behçet disease (BD) and compare the SFCT in patients with and without ocular BD (OBD) and between patients with active and quiescent phases of the Behçet's posterior uveitis.MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with BD (n = 51) between October 2016 and October 2018. Complete ocular examinations including slit lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination with dilated pupils were performed for all patients. The SFCT values were compared between patients with and without OBD. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI–OCT) was done to measure the SFCT, and wide field fundus fluorescein angiography (WF-FAG) was performed to evaluate the ocular involvement and determine the active or quiescent phases of the Behçet's posterior uveitis. The correlation between the changes of SFCT and the WF-FAG scores was assessed.ResultsOne hundred and two eyes of 51 patients with BD, aged 29 to 52 years were studied. Of these, 23 patients were male. The mean age standard deviation in patients with OBD and patients without ocular involvement was 38.71 7.8 and 36.22 10.59 years (P = 0.259) respectively. The mean SFCT in patients with OBD was significantly greater than in patients without OBD (364.17 93.34 vs 320.43 56.70 µm; P = 0.008). The difference of mean SFCT between the active compared to quiescent phase was not statistically significant when only WF-FAG criteria were considered for activity (368.12 104.591 vs 354.57 58.701 µm, P = 0.579). However, when the disease activity was considered based on both WF-FAG and ocular exam findings, SFCT in the active group was higher than the inactive group (393.04 94.88 vs 351.65 58.63 µm, P = 0.060). This difference did not reach statistical significance, but it was clinically relevant.Conclusion Choroidal thickness was significantly increased in BD patients with ocular involvement; therefore, EDI-OCT could be a noninvasive test for evaluation of ocular involvement in patients with BD. The increased SFCT was not an indicative of activity in OBD; however, it could predict possible ocular involvement throughout the disease course.