ObjectiveTo explore the distribution of choroidal thickness and its influence factors in university students.MethodsA cross-sectional study. A total of 896 eyes of 896 college students were included in the study. Among them, there were 350 males (350 eyes) and 546 females (546 eyes). All the eyes were right eyes. The average age was 19.18 ± 1.36 years old. According to the spherical equivalent refraction (SER), the eyes were divided into non-myopia group, low myopia group, moderate myopia group and high myopia group, which were 59, 251, 356 and 230 eyes, respectively. The subfoveal ChT (SFCT) was measured using a swept-frequency source optical coherence tomography scanner. According to the ETDRS, the choroid within 6 mm of the fovea was divided into three concentric circles centered on the fovea of the macula, which were the central area with a diameter of 1 mm, the inner ring area of 1-3 mm and the outer ring area of 3-6 mm. The outer ring area of 3-6 mm has a total of 9 zones. The inner ring and outer ring 4 regions were superior, inferior, nasal and temporal, respectively. The distribution characteristics of ChT in different regions, genders and diopter groups were observed. Bivariate correlation analysis were used to analyze the correlation of ChT and SER, axial length (AL).ResultsThe average SFCT of 896 eyes was 221.28±67.35 μm. The mean SFCT of males and females were 227.20±69.38 and 217.50±65.80 μm, respectively. The difference of SFCT between different genders was statistically significant (t=2.075, P=0.038). Compared with the central region ChT, there was no significant difference in ChT between the outer ring and the outer region (t=0.086, P=0.932). The difference of ChT in other regions was statistically significant (t=-21.973, -5.818, 36.328, -3.065, -18.017, -10.595, 57.007; P＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.002, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001). In the horizontal direction, ChT gradually thickens from nasal to temporal (F=2 251.558, P＜0.001); in the vertical direction, ChT gradually decreases from superior to the central, but have a little increased from central to inner inferior, then decreased to outer inferior again (F=45.425, P＜0.05). Correlation analysis showed that SFCT was negatively correlated with AL (r=0.478, P＜0.01) and a negative correlation with axial length (r=−0.395, P＜0.01), and positively correlated with SER (r=0.478, P＜0.01). SFCT decreased by 12.29 μm for every in myopic refractive error of 1 D, or by 20.14 μm for every increase in AL of 1 mm.ConclusionsChT is changed by different location. The horizontal direction is gradually thickened from nasal to temporal. The vertical direction is thicker than the center. The inferior inner ring area is thicker than the outer ring area. Gender, SER and AL are the influencing factors of SFCT.
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a serious retinal vascular disease, often accompanied by systemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the eye changes include macular edema, retinal ischemia, and even neovascularization, etc. As a common chronic disease of the fundus, it seriously affects patients' vision and quality of life. With the development of optical coherence tomography, the role of choroid in the occurrence and development of RVO has become a research hotspot. The research on the changes of the choroid layer of the eye with RVO has expanded from a simple two-dimensional thickness analysis to a more comprehensive multidimensional observation index such as three-dimensional volume, blood flow density and velocity. In addition, some cutting-edge research combines artificial intelligence algorithm techniques to improve the accuracy and depth of analysis. In the future, it is still necessary to further improve the data of the choroid layer of the eye with RVO, enhance the overall understanding of RVO, and provide new ideas for clinical prevention and treatment of RVO.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the macular choroidal thickness and choroidal blood perfusion (CBP) in eyes with idiopathic macular hole (IMH) and their correlation. MethodsA cross-sectional observational clinical study. From March 2019 to October 2021, 60 IMH patients with 60 eyes (IMH group) and 60 healthy volunteers with 60 eyes (control group) who consecutively visited Department of Ophthalmology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Among the 60 eyes in the IMH group, 8, 8, 15, and 29 eyes were at stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, respectively. There was no significant difference in age, spherical equivalent power and axial length between the two groups (t=1.327, 0.157, 0.542; P＞0.05). The average macular choriodal thickness (AMCT) and CBP in different regions of the macular region of the examined eye were measured using a swept-frequency light source optical coherence tomography scanner. According to the zoning method for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, the choroid within 6 mm of the fovea was divided into 3 concentric circles with the fovea as the center. They are the central area with a diameter of 1 mm, the inner ring area of 1-3 mm, and the outer ring area of 3-6 mm; the inner ring area and the outer ring area were divided into 4 areas by 2 radiations respectively, including the upper part of the inner superior (IS), the lower part of the inner inferior (Ⅱ), and the nasal side of the inner nasal (IN), inner temporal (IT), outer superior (OS), outer inferior (OI), outer nasal (ON), outer temporal (OT), a total of 9 regions. The distribution characteristics of AMCT and CBP in different regions were observed. The correlation between AMCT and CBP was analyzed by Pearson correlation; the correlation between AMCT, CBP and IMH stage was analyzed by Spearman correlation. ResultsCompared with the eyes of the control group, the AMCT of the affected eyes in the IMH group was significantly thinner in all areas of the macula, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.378, 4.641, 2.888, 3.390, 3.575, 4.870, 4.077, 4.946, 4.578; P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the CBP in the OS and OT regions of the affected eyes in the IMH group was significantly lower, the difference was statistically significant (t=3.424, 4.516; P＜0.05). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between AMCT and CBP in the OT region (r=0.314, P＜0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between AMCT and IMH staging in each region (r=0.375, 0.374, 0.289, 0.379, 0.441, 0.392, 0.303, 0.341, 0.292; P＜0.05). There was no significant correlation between CBP and IMH staging in IN, OI and OT regions (r=－0.138, －0.016, －0.221; P＞0.05); CBP and IMH staging in other regions were significantly negatively correlated (r=－0.560, －0.390, －0.819, －0.692, －0.329, －0.587; P＜0.05). ConclusionsThe choroidal thickness in the macular region of the eyes with IMH is significantly thinner than that of the normal subjects; there is choroidal hypoperfusion in local areas. There is a significant positive correlation between local regional AMCT and CBP; IMH stage is higher, the trend of AMCT in each region is thickening, and the CBP in most regions decrease.
Objective To observe macular vascular density and structural characteristics in children with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From October 2022 to December 2023, 29 TDT children (58 eyes) diagnosed and examined at the Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University were included in the TDT group, along with 29 age- and gender-matched healthy children (58 eyes) as the control group. All participants underwent optical coherence tomography and angiography. Measurements included central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal choroidal thickness (SFCT), choroidal thickness (ChT), choroidal vascularity index, blood flow density in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris layer (CC), and choroidal layer of the macular region, as well as the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area of the SCP and DCP. A generalized estimating equation was used to compare differences in the above parameters between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between fundus structural parameters, blood flow density, and blood indices. ResultsCompared with the control group, the TDT group showed significantly thinner CMT (χ2=6.044) and ChT at 3.0 mm nasal (χ2=4.451) and temporal (χ2=4.767) to the fovea (P＜0.05). The TDT group also demonstrated reduced blood flow density in the inferior DCP (χ2=5.254), whole CC (χ2=3.996), and superior CC (χ2=5.094), as well as enlarged FAZ area in DCP (χ2=4.286) (P＜0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between SFCT and disease duration (r=−0.357, P=0.006). ConclusionsIn children with TDT, CMT and ChT become thinner and the area of FAZ expands. The blood flow densities of DCP and CC in the macular area decreased.
Objective To observe the anastomotic status of the vortex veins in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA cross-sectional study of clinical practice. From July 2021 to July 2022, 50 cases (50 eyes) of monocular CSC patients diagnosed through ophthalmic examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Among them, there were 37 males (74.0%, 37/50) and 13 females (26.0%, 13/50), with the mean age of (44.30±9.59) years old. The course of disease from the onset of symptoms to the time of treatment was less than 3 months. The affected eye and contralateral eye of CSC patients were divided into the affected eye group and contralateral eye group, respectively. Fifty healthy volunteers of the same age and gender were selected as the normal control group with 50 eyes. The macular area scanning source optical coherence tomography (OCT) vascular imaging examination was performed with Visual Microimaging (Henan) Technology Co., Ltd. VG200D. Horizontal watershed vortex veins anastomosis rate and asymmetric vortex-venous dilation rate were observed by en face OCT. The device comes with software to calculate the central foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), mean choroidal thickness (MCT), and choroidal vascular index (CVI). One-way analysis of variance and χ2 test were used to compare the three groups. When variances were unequal between groups, nonparametric tests were performed. ResultsThe SFCT values of the affected eye group, contralateral eye group, and normal control group were (567.12±129.02), (513.26±133.17), (327.64±97.40) μm, respectively; MCT were (407.38±97.54), (388.24±94.13), (275.46±60.55) μm, respectively; CVI were 0.34±0.05, 0.32±0.04, and 0.27±0.04, respectively; anastomosis rates of vortex veins were 98% (49/50), 78% (39/50), and 40% (20/50), respectively; asymmetric dilation rates of vortex veins were 96% (48/50), 88% (44/50), and 48% (24/50), respectively. The differences of SFCT (F=53.974), MCT (Z=51.415), CVI (F=28.082), vortex vein anastomosis rate (χ2=43.056), asymmetric dilation rate of vortex veins (χ2=37.728) among three groups were statistically significant (P＜0.001). Compared with the contralateral eye group, the SFCT, MCT, CVI, vortex vein anastomosis rate, and vortex vein asymmetric dilation rate in the affected eye group were significantly higher than those in the contralateral eye group. Among them, the differences of SFCT (t=2.054), CVI (t=2.211), and vortex vein anastomosis rate (χ2=9.470) were statistically significant (P＜0.05); the differences of MCT (Z=7.490), asymmetric dilation rate of vortex veins（χ2=2.714) were not statistically significant (P=1.000, 0.140). ConclusionsSFCT, MCT, and CVI in the affected and contralateral eyes of monocular CSC patients significantly increase. The anastomotic rate and asymmetric dilation rate of the vortex vein in the opposite eye were lower than those in the affected eye.
ObjectiveTo observe the center retinal thickness (CRT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in eyes with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) before and after treatment.MethodsA total of 34 patients (34 eyes) diagnosed with CRAO by fundus fluorescence angiography (FFA) were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males (18 eyes) and 16 females (16 eyes). The average age was (61.42±14.09) years. The mean onset time was (2.64±3.73) days. The mean hospitalization time was (11.92±4.95) days. The mean axial length (AL) was (23.53±2.04) mm. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and AL measurement were performed. BCVA was converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). According to FFA, visual loss and the results of OCT, patients were divided into 3 groups: incomplete CRAO (15 eyes) , subtotal CRAO (8 eyes), total CRAO (11 eyes). SFCT and CRT in affected and the fellow eye were measured by OCT for enhanced deep imaging. Follow up lasted for 1 month after treatment, with an average follow-up of (34.71±6.82) days. The changes of SFCT, CRT, and BCVA before and after treatment were observed. The correlation between BCVA after treatment and pretreatment CRT was also analyzed.ResultsAfter 1 month of follow-up, the logMAR BCVA in incomplete group, subtotal group and total group were significantly higher than before treatment (t=3.74, 3.61, 3.26; P=0.004, 0.009, 0.017). Before treatment, the average CRT of the contralateral eyes in the total, subtotal and incomplete group were (215.00±19.85), (224.00±22.79), (214.00±8.21) μm, and the mean SFCT were (264.54±121.71), (266.50±58.17), (261.86±90.95) μm. The average CRT of the affected eyes were (353.18±60.26), (280.14±11.08), (266.63±19.65) μm, and the average SFCT were (233.72±111.35), (237.75±53.30), (259.86±98.14) mm. Compared with the fellow eyes, the average CRT in the 3 groups were thickened, and the difference were statistically significant (t=8.274, 3.694, 11.577; P＜0.001, 0.008, ＜0.001); the average SFCT in the total group was decreased, the difference was statistically significant (t=−2.138, P=0.048). The mean CRT among the 3 groups of eyes was statistically significant (F=12.02, P＜0.001). There was no significant difference in the average SFCT (F=0.178, P=0.838). After 1 month follow-up, the mean CRT in the total, subtotal and incomplete group were (231.18±49.28), (219.16±21.34), (217.86±24.98) μm, and the average SFCT were (239.81±109.57), (241.86±42.81), (260.57±91.67) μm. Compared with before treatment, the average CRT in the three groups of eyes were decreased, the difference were statistically significant (t=13.032, 3.711, 4.970; P＜0.001, 0.008, 0.003); the difference in mean SFCT were not statistically significant (t=−0.785, −0.202, −0.078; P=0.466, 0.845, 0.940). Correlation analysis showed that BCVA after treatment was positively correlated with pretreatment CRT (odds ratio=0.578, P=0.002).ConclusionCRAO resulted in CRT in the preliminary stage and became thinner after receiving treatments. There exists a positive correlation between visual outcome and CRT before receiving treatments.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of choroid thickness in adolescents with different types of non-pathological high myopia (HM). MethodsA retrospective observational study. From January 2021 to April 2022, 179 eyes of 101 adolescents with myopia in Liaocheng Aier Eye Hospital were collected and analyzed. According to the spherical equivalent (SE) and corneal curvature, subjects were divided into mild myopia or emmetical eye group (control group), HM group, occult HM group (OHM group) and super HM group (SHM group). There were 52 eyes in 30 cases, 47 eyes in 26 cases, 42 eyes in 24 cases and 38 eyes in 21 cases, respectively. Medical optometry, intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography (OCT), axial length (AL) and corneal curvature were measured. The macular foveal choroidal thickness was analyzed by using spectral-domain OCT. The diopter was expressed in SE. The thickness of choroid in the fovea of macular region was measured by enhanced deep imaging with frequency domain OCT. The thickness of choroid was measured in 9 regions within 1 mm, 3 mm from the fovea, including the upper, lower, nasal and temporal regions. Generalized estimating equation was used to compare the data among groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used to compare the data among groups. The correlation between AL, corneal curvature, intraocular pressure and choroidal thickness was analyzed by Pearson correlation. ResultsThe choroidal thickness in the foveal macula and the areas 1 mm and 3 mm away from the fovea were compared among the control group, HM group, OHM group and SHM group, the difference were significant (χ2=76.646, 36.715, 27.660, 35.301, 24.346, 38.093, 36.275, 33.584, 36.050; P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the choroidal thickness of the fovea and the choroidal thickness in each area within 1 and 3 mm from the fovea in the HM group, the OHM group and the SHM group were significantly thinner than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). There were statistically significant differences in choroidal thickness in each region between the group and the SHM group, and between the OHM group and the SHM group (P＜0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that AL was negatively correlated with choroidal thickness in various regions (P＜0.05); SE was positively correlated with choroidal thickness in various regions (P＜0.05); corneal curvature and intraocular pressure had no significant correlation with choroidal thickness in various regions (P＞0.05). ConclusionsThe choroidal thickness of SHM is significantly lower than that of OHM and HM; OHM patients have lower SE. However, the choroidal thickness is significantly thinner. AL and SE are the influencing factors of choroidal thickness.
Objective To quantitatively evaluate the changes of choroidal biomarkers in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and preliminarily explore its pathogenesis. MethodsClinical cross-sectional study. From July 2021 to December 2022, 74 eyes of 65 patients with CSC (CSC group) confirmed by ophthalmic examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Among them, 46 patients (51 eyes) were male, 19 patients (23 eyes) were female. The duration from the onset of symptoms to the time of treatment was less than or equal to 3 months. A control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers (74 eyes) matched in age and gender. Among them, 26 patients (50 eyes) were male, and 14 patients (24 eyes) were female. Using VG200D from Microimaging (Henan) Technology Co., Ltd., macular scanning source light coherence tomography angiography was performed, with scanning range 6 mm × 6 mm. According to the division of the diabetes retinopathy treatment research group, the choroid within 6 mm of the macular fovea was divided into three concentric circles centered on the macular fovea, namely, the central area with a diameter of 1 mm, the macular area with a diameter of 1-3 mm, and the surrounding area of the fovea with a diameter of 3-6 mm. The device comes with software to record the three-dimensional choroidal vascular index (CVI), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), perfusion area of the choroidal capillary layer (CFA), choroidal thickness (CT), and three-dimensional CVI, CVV, and CT in the upper, temporal, lower, and subnasal quadrants within 6 mm of the fovea. Quantitative data between the two groups were compared using an independent sample t-test. Qualitative data comparison line χ2 inspection. The value of receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis in predicting the occurrence of CSC, including CVI, CVV, CFA, and CT. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CVI (t=3.133, 4.814), CVV (t=7.504, 9.248), and CT (t=10.557, 10.760) in the central and macular regions of the affected eyes in the CSC group significantly increased, while the CFA (t=－8.206, －5.065) significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05); CVI (t=7.129), CVV (t=10.020), and CT (t=10.488) significantly increased within 6 mm of the central fovea, while CFA (t=－2.548) significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). The CVI (t=4.980, 4.201, 4.716, 8.491), CVV (t=9.014, 7.156, 7.719, 10.730), and CT (t=10.077, 8.700, 8.960, 11.704) in the upper, temporal, lower, and lower nasal quadrants within 6 mm of the central fovea were significantly increased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). In the CSC group, the maximum CVI and CVV were (0.39±0.10)% and (1.09±0.42) mm3, respectively, on the nasal side of the affected eye. Upper CT was (476.02±100.89) μm. The nasal side CVI, CVV, and CT have the largest changes. The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve of CT, CVV, and CVI within 6 mm of the central region, macular region, and fovea was over than 0.5. Subcentral CT was the most specific for the diagnosis of CSC. ConclusionChoroidal biomarkers CVI, CVV, and CT in CSC patients increase, while CFA decreases. Central CT is the most specific for the diagnosis of CSC.
ObjectiveTo obverse the changes of macular choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodsThis was a case-control study. Twenty-one patients with mild to moderate AD confirmed by Neurology Department of Jinhua Central Hospital from November 2016 to June 2018 and 21 age-matched control subjects were concluded in the study. There was no significant difference in age (t=0.128), intraocular pressure (t=0.440) and axial length (t=1.202) between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was significant difference in mini-mental state examination score (t=8.608, P＜0.05). CT was measured by OCT with enhanced depth imaging technique in the subfoveal choroid, at 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm from the center of the fovea nasal (NCT0.5, 1.0 mm), temporal (TCT0.5, 1.0 mm), superior (SCT0.5, 1 .0 mm), and inferior (ICT0.5, 1.0 mm). Independent-samples t test was used to compare the results obtained from these two groups.ResultsSFCT (t=2.431), NCT0.5, 1.0 mm (t=3.341, 2.640), TCT0.5, 1.0 mm (t=3.340, 2.899), SCT0.5, 1.0 mm (t=3.576, 3.751) and ICT0.5, 1.0 mm (t=2.897, 2.903) were significantly thinner in AD eyes than those in control eyes.ConclusionCompared with healthy subjects, patients with mild to moderate AD showed a significant reduction in CT.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical and imaging characteristics of eyes with idiopathic focal choroidal excavation (FCE) and acquired FCE, and to preliminarily analyze the association of FCE with different fundus diseases. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. A total of 90 patients (93 eyes) diagnosed with FCE at the Ophthalmology Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2024 were included in the study. All affected eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, ophthalmoscope, fundus color photography, and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). SS-OCT was used to measure subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), choroidal thickness at the temporal, nasal, and inferior margins of the FCE, as well as the maximum width and depth of the FCE. Based on the presence of concomitant fundus diseases, FCE cases were divided into an idiopathic FCE group (51 eyes) and an acquired FCE group (42 eyes). Clinical characteristics at the initial and final visits were compared between the two groups. Clinical features were also analyzed for acquired FCE eyes with different associated fundus diseases. A logistic regression model was used to identify potential risk factors for FCE coexisting with other fundus diseases. ResultsCompared to the idiopathic FCE group, the acquired FCE group had significantly decreased BCVA (Z=−8.290), significantly increased FCE width (Z=−2.762), and significantly higher incidence rates of saucer-shaped FCE (χ2=8.352) and ellipsoid zone disruption (χ2=7.999). These differences were all statistically significant (P＜0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, gender distribution, IOP, foveal involvement, proportion of conforming FCE, retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch’s membrane rupture, presence of hyperreflective material under the excavation, presence of surrounding thick vessels, FCE depth, SFCT, or choroidal thickness at the inferior, temporal, and nasal margins of the FCE (P＞0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that FCE width (odds ratio=1.002, 95% confidence interval: 1.001-1.004, P=0.005) was the sole risk factor for FCE coexisting with other fundus complications. In both the idiopathic and acquired FCE groups, FCE depth and width remained relatively stable during follow-up. BCVA improved in the acquired FCE group after treatment. ConclusionsFCE can coexist with various fundus diseases. FCE width is the only risk factor for the development of other fundus complications in FCE-affected eyes. Treating retinal or choroidal diseases associated with acquired FCE can provide visual benefits to patients.