Choroidal Thickness in a Hyperopic Pediatric Population

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the choroidal thickness (CT) in hyperopic and emmetropic children using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional comparative study. Macular choroidal thickness and axial length of 62 eyes from hyperopic pediatric patients were studied. CT was determined at nine different macular locations. The results were compared to 66 eyes of healthy pediatric patients. Results: Study groups were classified as a hyperopic group (SE ≥ 2D) and an emmetropic group (SE < 2D). The hyperopic group have shorter AL than the emmetropic group (p < 0.001). The mean CT is greater in the hyperopic group (p = 0.039), and there are no significant differences between CT and gender (p = 0.389). Study participants were also classified by age (2−5 years old and 6−18 years old), and we observe differences in CT, but these differences are only significant for the 6−18 years old group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: CT in hyperopic pediatric populations is statistically thicker than in healthy pediatric patients. AL and SE have statistically significant correlations with CT values, and those correlations are seen in children in the ocular slow-growing phase (6−18 years old), and not in the early years (2−5 years old).

Keywords: children; choroid; hyperopia; swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Figure 1

Macular OCT with 12-line radial scan and retina layers defined.

Figure 2

Macular OCT with EDTS grid, which divides the macula into three concentric circles centered on the fovea: the central foveal circle (1 mm), parafoveal circle (3 mm), and perifoveal circle (6 mm). This was divided into the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal areas.

Figure 3

Median CT in each choroid area in different study groups.

Figure 4

Scatterplot showing results for choroidal thickness and axial length in patients 6–17 years old.