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. 2021 Feb 5;10(2):27.
doi: 10.1167/tvst.10.2.27.

Choroidal Thickness by Handheld Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Term Newborns

Laura C Huang  1   2 , Hao Zhou  3 , Alex T Legocki  2 , N Max Scoville  2 , Junping Zhong  3 , Leona Ding  2 , Ruikang K Wang  2   3 , Michelle T Cabrera  1   2
Affiliations

Choroidal Thickness by Handheld Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Term Newborns

Laura C Huang et al. Transl Vis Sci Technol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To describe normative values for choroidal thickness in newborns and characterize their relationship to vitreoretinal features.

Methods: Term newborns underwent awake, handheld swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in this prospective cohort study. An automated segmentation algorithm followed by manual adjustments measured choroidal thickness at the fovea and five perifoveal locations. Two masked, trained graders, with a third mediating disagreements, analyzed scans for vitreoretinal findings. OCT vitreoretinal findings, including dome-shaped macula, subretinal fluid, punctate hyperreflective vitreous opacities, persistent inner retinal layers, foveal ellipsoid zone, tractional and non-tractional vitreous bands, epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, vessel elevation, scalloped retinal layers, hyporeflective vessels, and retinal spaces, were assessed and correlated with foveal choroidal thickness using a generalized linear mixed model.

Results: Fifty-nine eyes of 39 infants (mean gestational age, 39.5 weeks; 18 male, 46%) were included. Mean foveal choroidal thickness was 455.5 ± 93.9 µm. Choroid was thinner inferonasally (343.6 ± 106.2 µm) compared to superonasally (368.4 ± 92.9 µm; P = 0.03) and superotemporally (369.6 ± 100.6 µm; P = 0.02). Thinner foveal choroidal thickness was associated with absence of a foveal ellipsoid zone (437.1 ± 78.5 µm vs. 553.7 ± 93.9 µm; P = 0.02). Choroidal thickness was not significantly associated with other OCT findings.

Conclusions: We identified an association between thinner choroid and foveal immaturity. Additional study is needed to determine whether choroidal development impacts visual outcomes.

Translational relevance: Handheld SS-OCT achieved normative measurements for choroidal thickness across the macula in term newborns, providing a foundation for future investigations into the role of choroidal development in infancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: L.C. Huang, None; H. Zhou, None; A.T. Legocki, None; N.M. Scoville, None; J. Zhong, None; L. Ding, None; R.K. Wang, None; M.T. Cabrera, None

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Steps for choroidal thickness analysis. (A) SS-OCT B-scans were obtained in awake infants. (B) Segmentation of the choroidal layer was performed using semi-automated methods. Blue line, Bruch's membrane segmentation; red line, choroidal–scleral interface segmentation; asterisk, foveal location. (C) En face 7 × 7-mm choroidal thickness maps were generated. (D) Choroid thickness maps were overlaid with grids for subfield analysis.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Choroidal thickness with and without a foveal ellipsoid zone. (A) SS-OCT of a newborn without a foveal ellipsoid zone present. (B) Corresponding choroidal thickness map (foveal choroidal thickness of 329 µm) with the associated color map in microns. (C) SS-OCT of a newborn with a foveal ellipsoid zone present. (D) Corresponding choroidal thickness map (foveal choroidal thickness of 626 µm). Scale bar: 2 mm.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(A) Averaged choroidal thickness map of all infant eyes, reversing left eyes to match the right eye orientation. (B) Upper 95% limit map of choroid thickness. (C) Bottom 95% limit map of choroid thickness. Dashed circle indicates the location of the optic nerve head.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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