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. 2017 May 26:3:28.
doi: 10.1186/s40942-017-0081-z. eCollection 2017.

Choroidal vascular analysis in myopic eyes: evidence of foveal medium vessel layer thinning

Rayan A Alshareef  1 , Mohammed K Khuthaila  2 , Manideepak Januwada  3 , Abhilash Goud  3 , Daniela Ferrara  4 , Jay Chhablani  3
Affiliations

Choroidal vascular analysis in myopic eyes: evidence of foveal medium vessel layer thinning

Rayan A Alshareef et al. Int J Retina Vitreous. .

Abstract

Purpose: To analyse morphologic features of the choroid in Non-pathological myopic eyes using spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of enhanced depth SD-OCT images of Non-pathological myopic eyes in comparison with age-matched healthy controls was performed. Choroidal thickness (CT) and large choroidal vessel thickness (LCVT) were measured at the fovea, 750 µm nasally from fovea (N750) and 750 µm temporally (T750) from fovea. Medium choroidal vessel thickness (MCVT) was calculated by subtracting LCVT from CT. Choriocapillaris was encompassed by MCVT, given its reduced thickness. Linear regression analysis evaluated the relationship between age and axial with CT, LCVT and MCVT.

Results: The study group comprised 42 eyes of 31 patients (mean age 46.13 ± 15.63; 15 females). Control group included 57 eyes of 34 patients (mean age of 42.3 ± 15.29; 24 females). Mean axial length in myopic eyes and control group was 26.57 ± 1.27 and 23.59 ± 0.99 mm respectively. Myopic eyes showed significant thinning of MCVT and CT at all locations (p < 0.0001) compared to controls, unlike LCVT (p > 0.05). With each decade, thinning of up to 37 µm in CT was noted along with thinning of LCVT (up to 22.6 µm) and MCVT (up to 25 µm). Each mm increase in axial length caused 38.2 µm thinning of choroid along with LCVT (<10 µm), however, MCVT showed more notable thinning (>30 µm).

Conclusion: Significant thinning of MCVT was noted in non-pathological myopic eyes in comparison to healthy subjects. It appears that MCVT has stronger relationship with age and axial length.

Keywords: Choroid; Choroidal vessels; Myopia; Optical coherence tomography.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) showing various choroidal measurements including choroidal thickness and large vessel thickness at subfovea, nasal 750 µm and temporal 750 µm in an eye with 20/20 vision and axial length of 27 mm
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graphs showing relationship of various choroidal measurements with axial length
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Graphs showing relationship of various choroidal measurements with age
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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