Choroidal Thickness in Normal Eyes Measured Using Cirrus HD Optical Coherence Tomography
Purpose: To examine choroidal thickness and area in healthy eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Design: Retrospective, observational case series. Methods: Thirty-four eyes (34 subjects), with no retinal or choroidal disease, underwent high-definition raster s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en_US |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2012
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/73100 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0828-4357 |
| Summary: | Purpose:
To examine choroidal thickness and area in healthy eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
Design:
Retrospective, observational case series.
Methods:
Thirty-four eyes (34 subjects), with no retinal or choroidal disease, underwent high-definition raster scanning using SD-OCT with frame enhancement software. Choroidal thickness was measured from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-μm intervals up to 2500 μm temporal and nasal to the fovea. The central 1-mm area of the choroid was also measured, along with foveal thickness of the retina. All measurements were performed by 2 independent observers. Statistical analysis was used to correlate inter-observer findings, choroidal thickness and area measurements with age, and choroidal thickness with retinal foveal thickness.
Results:
The 34 subjects had a mean age of 51.1 years. Reliable measurements of choroidal thickness were obtainable in 74% of eyes examined. Choroidal thickness and area measurements had strong inter-observer correlation (r = 0.92, P < .0001 and r = 0.93, P < .0001 respectively). Area had a moderate negative correlation with age (r = −0.62, P < .0001) that was comparable to the correlation between mean subfoveal choroidal thickness and age (r = −0.61, P < .0001). Retinal and choroidal thickness were found to be poorly correlated (r = −0.23, P = .18). Mean choroidal thickness showed a pattern of thinnest choroid nasally, thickening in the subfoveal region, and then thinning again temporally. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was found to be 272 μm (SD, ± 81 μm).
Conclusions:
Choroidal thickness can be measured using SD-OCT high-definition raster scans in the majority of eyes. Choroidal thickness across the macula demonstrates a thin choroid nasally, thickest subfoveally, and again thinner temporally, and a trend toward decreasing choroidal thickness with age. |
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