Past, Present, and Future Concepts of the Choroidal Scleral Interface Morphology on Optical Coherence Tomography

Automated analysis of choroidal thickness in patients with systemic lupus erithematosus treated with hydroxychloroquine

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), considering the possible impact of disease activity on the choroid.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study comparing three groups: two groups of SLE patients treated with HCQ without HCQ-retinopathy (32 eyes/32 patients with < 5 years of HCQ (group 1) and 44 eyes/44 patients with > 5 years of HCQ (group 2)), and an age-matched healthy control group of 46 eyes/46 patients (group 3). A complete ophthalmic examination was performed, including swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) Triton (Topcon). Data were correlated to systemic disease activity parameters.

RESULTS

CT was thicker in group 1 compared to group 3 in central, nasal, and superior sectors, and to group 2 in inner superior and outer inferior sectors (p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis, disease activity and CT were inversely correlated in most sectors (p < 0.05). In the regression analysis, HCQ was related to thinner CT in temporal and inferior sectors and disease activity with variations in nasal sectors (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In SLE patients, HCQ is correlated to decreased CT, especially in the inferior and temporal areas. The choroid shows different responses to SLE activity and HCQ, and some sectors may be more sensitive than others.

Early Postoperative Changes in Macular Choroidal Thickness After Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification in Patients With and Without Glaucoma: A Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Purpose The objective of this study was to examine the impact of uncomplicated phacoemulsification on macular choroidal thickness (CT) within the first three postoperative months and to investigate its relationship with postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) in both glaucomatous and healthy subjects, utilizing swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods The non-randomized prospective study involved 82 patients, selected via convenience sampling from the First Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Athens, "G. Gennimatas" Hospital, Athens, Greece, between May 2018 and May 2022, undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The inclusion criteria encompassed patients aged 50 years or above, with or without glaucoma. Patients with ocular pathologies that could influence macula or CT measurements were excluded. Data collection focused on retinal and CT variables of the macular area, measured using SS-OCT. Baseline measurements were established preoperatively, with follow-up assessments at one week, one month, and three months postoperatively to monitor CT and macular edema onset. Results A total of 82 eyes from 82 patients with a mean age of 79.1±8.3 years were included. The study population was divided into a glaucoma group (n=28 eyes) and a control group (n=54 eyes). Our findings indicate a consistently significant increase in macular CT measurements one month after cataract surgery, observed in both glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes. In the first postoperative week, statistically significant changes in CT were observed only in patients with CME. Subsequently, at one-month interval, both patient groups, those with and without CME, exhibited statistically significant changes in CT across all macular sectors. CME was detected in 10 out of 28 eyes in the glaucoma group and in 16 out of 54 eyes in the control group. When evaluating the impact of postoperative CME on groups of glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes, it was observed that glaucomatous eyes exhibited a significantly larger magnitude of change in subfoveal CT (SFCT) (p=0.03) at one month (relative to baseline) compared to non-glaucomatous eyes. There was also a 31% increase in the odds of developing CME for glaucoma patients; this result was not statistically significant (odds ratio {OR}, 1.31; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.50-3.47; p=0.57). Conclusions During the early postoperative period, the study revealed a significant increase in CT at one month after phacoemulsification in both glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes. When CME was present, a significantly more pronounced magnitude of change in SFCT was observed at one month in glaucomatous eyes, as opposed to non-glaucomatous eyes. This observation suggests a possible selective susceptibility of glaucomatous eyes in the early postoperative period that requires further research.

Changes in the Choroidal Thickness of Children Wearing MiSight to Control Myopia

Background: Due to the importance of choroidal thickness in the development of myopia, this study examined the effect of MiSight contact lenses (CLs) on the choroidal thickness of myopic children and the differences between responders and non-responders to the treatment with these CLs. Methods: A total of 41 myopic children were fitted with MiSight CLs and 33 with single-vision spectacles. They were followed up for two years. Subfoveal choroidal thickness and choroidal thickness 1 and 3 mm temporal and nasal to the fovea were measured by OCT at baseline and one and two years after the treatment. Differences in all the choroidal thickness parameters were assessed in each group over time. Patients from the MiSight group were classified based on a specific range of changes in axial length at the end of the second year of treatment as “responders” (AL change < 0.22 mm/per year) and “non-responders”, and the choroidal thickness of both groups was analyzed. Results: The subfoveal choroidal thickness of the MiSight and single-vision spectacle groups did not show any changes over time. Wearing MiSight CLs induced relative choroidal thickening in the responder group in the first year of treatment. Conclusion: Choroidal thickness might work as a predictor of the effectiveness of MiSight in myopia treatment.

One-Year Outcome of Combination Therapy with Full or Reduced Photodynamic Therapy and One Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy

This paper evaluates a one-year treatment outcome after full or reduced photodynamic therapy (PDT) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combination therapy for pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). After the initial combination therapy, a total of 29 eyes from 29 patients (16 for full treatment and 13 for reduced treatment), exhibited reduced, central retinal thickness and central choroidal thickness, and the improvements were maintained for 1 year after the initial combination therapy. Twenty-two eyes (75.9%) required no additional treatments for 1 year. The recurrence rate was 31.3% in the full treatment and 15.4% in the reduced treatment, with no significant differences between them. One shot of anti-VEGF and full or reduced PDT combination therapy had similar efficacy in treating PNV. Further prospective, large-scale, and long-term studies are required to determine a better treatment for PNV.

Repeatability and inter-observer variation of choroidal thickness measurements using swept-source optical coherence tomography in myopic danish children aged 6-14 years

Purpose

To estimate repeatability and inter‐observer variation of choroidal thickness measurements in myopic Danish children aged 7–14 years using swept‐source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT).

Methods

Thirty‐nine children were enrolled. Optical correction was single‐vision spectacles (SVS) or orthokeratology lenses (OKL). Three repeated 7 × 7 mm 3‐dimensional SS‐OCT macula scans and three repeated 9 mm SS‐OCT line scans were collected for each child using a DRI OCT Triton. Choroidal thickness was measured using three different methods: line scan method 1 (LM1), line scan method 2 (LM2) and 3D macula scan method (3DM). Segmentation was adjusted if needed. Coefficients of repeatability (CR) and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated.

Results

The CRs ranged from 13.4 to 23.9 µm, 14.5 to 26.2 µm and 5.2 to 10.7 µm for LM1, LM2 and 3DM, respectively. The LoA ranged from −22.9 to +31.5 µm, −23.3 to +32.2 µm and −10.2 to +12.4 µm for LM1, LM2 and 3DM, respectively. Segmentation was adjusted in most scans (63%–92%). Mean choroidal thickness ranged from 142.2 ± 47.2 to 253.8 ± 60.9 µm and 190.1 ± 64.0 to 299.0 ± 55.8 µm for the SVS and OKL groups, respectively, measured by 3DM.

Conclusion

The 3DM was the most repeatable method in this paediatric population. It yielded a CR of 10.7 µm, confidence interval 2.4 µm, which makes the minimal detectable difference between two measurements 13.1 µm. Most inter‐observer variation could be explained by the intramethod variation. Segmentation adjustment on 3D macula scans did not increase CR on a group level.

Choroidal Volume Evaluation after Photodynamic Therapy Using New Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Algorithm

To evaluate choroidal volume and thickness changes after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Chronic CSC eyes with a history of PDT were selected. Average choroidal volume, average choroidal thickness, the maximum and minimum choroidal thickness of the macula irradiated area and peripheral non-irradiated areas before and after one and three months of treatment were examined. A total of 14 patients with chronic CSC and 9 controls without any eye pathology were enrolled. The mean choroidal volume in CSC before and, and after one and three months of treatment were 2.36 (standard deviation: 0.70), 1.90 (0.69), 1.86 (0.66) mm³ for the central area, 1.25 (0.38), 1.14 (0.35), 1.13 (0.34) mm³ for superior nasal area, 1.47 (0.41), 1.28 (0.43), 1.26 (0.43) mm³ for superior temporal area, 1.07 (0.49), 0.95 (0.38), 0.93 (0.35) mm³ for inferior nasal area, 1.17 (0.38), 1.04 (0.32), 1.03 (0.33) mm³ for inferior temporal area. This study revealed the choroidal volume changes in a short period after PDT and a decrease in unirradiated choroidal volume was also shown after the treatment. The algorithm provided on the ARI Network enables to evaluate the choroidal changes quantitatively and qualitatively.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of organ preservation treatment of choroidal melanomas by optical coherence tomography findings]

Achieving local tumor control is generally considered to be the criterion of effectiveness of organ preservation treatment. In most cases it can be assessed by ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography. However, in presence of pigmentation areas, it can be difficult to interpret the ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography findings. The works concerning the informativity of optical coherence tomography (OCT) after organ preservation treatment of choroidal melanomas (CM) generally cover the complications (post-radiation maculopathy, neuropathy) and the identification of vitreomacular tractions. In evaluation of local control, attention is paid to the presence of subretinal fluid and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment.

PURPOSE

To analyze OCT findings in terms of the condition of eye fundus tissues in various outcomes of organ preservation treatment of CM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 20 patients (20 eyes) who underwent the following organ preservation therapy 1 to 374 months prior to enrollment: transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) - 8 eyes, brachytherapy (BT) - 8 eyes, BT with subsequent TTT - 4 eyes. Mean age of patients at the time of therapy start was 59.25±10.86 (33-81) years. In multi-step therapy (12 eyes), the mean interval between the stages was 28.08±20.39 months. According to echobiometry findings, tumor prominence at the time of therapy start was 3.35±2.08 (1-7.37) mm. At the time of post-treatment OCT scan, there was no prominence in 5 eyes, in other eyes it was 1.26±1.24 (0.4-5.7) mm.

RESULTS

Comparison of ophthalmoscopy picture with OCT findings allowed identification of the following changes: a scar and hyperplasia of pigment epithelium in the scar, a scar with reactive pigment hyperplasia at the level of RPE and choroid, radioreaction, growth area from under and inside the scar, incomplete local control, absence of local control.

CONCLUSION

The author's own expertise in evaluating the effectiveness of local choroidal melanoma therapy suggests that optical coherence tomography should be used to monitor all patients being followed up after organ preservation treatment of choroidal melanoma: after transpupillary thermotherapy - for 3 months, after brachytherapy - during first 24 months, and in case of doubts for longer.

[Transformation of choroidal nevus into melanoma]

The risk of choroidal melanoma developing from choroidal nevus (CN) varies in range of 0.78-7%. Absence of a common terminology and distinct diagnostic criteria characterizing small melanoma de novo and unusual CN often complicates treatment choice and patient prognosis.

PURPOSE

To study the clinical features and the role of visualization methods in the diagnosis of CN transformation into melanoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study analyzes the clinical picture and visualization results of 11 patients with initial diagnosis of «choroidal nevus» (n=3) and «suspicious choroidal nevus» (n=8).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Examination and continued observation revealed 7 patients to have melanoma that had developed from CN (2 of them confirmed with histological studies). The time before CN transformed into melanoma varied between 4 and 13 years, with median 5 [4; 12] years. Two patients were diagnosed with primary melanoma (melanoma de novo), two other patients - with suspicious CN. In progressive CN transforming into melanoma, visual impairments occurred between 6 months and 13 years in 6 out of 7 patients. Initial prominence of suspicious CN at the first visit was 1.9±0.68 mm (0.9 mm to 2.67 mm). The characteristic features of suspicious CN transforming into initial melanoma are: 1) asymmetric shape of the edges of expanded choroidal complex; 2) presence of areas of damaged choriocapillaris layer, direct and indirect signs of loss of integrity of the Bruch's membrane; 3) areas of accumulation of moderately hyperreflective subretinal exudate; 4) presence of intraretinal hyperreflective inclusions. The signs distinguishing primary choroidal melanoma from melanoma that had developed from CN are: 1) absence of areas with tomography pattern characteristic of nevi; 2) more pronounced asymmetry of the shape of edges, compared to melanoma developed from CN; 3) presence of cysts in larger tumors, compared to melanoma developed from CN.

CONCLUSION

All patients with CN should be regularly followed up by an ophthalmologist.

Stargardt disease: Multimodal imaging: A review

Stargardt disease (STGD1) is an autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy, characterised by bilateral progressive central vision loss and subretinal deposition of lipofuscin-like substances. Recent advances in molecular diagnosis and therapeutic options are complemented by the increasing recognition of new multimodal imaging biomarkers that may predict genotype and disease progression. Unique non-invasive imaging features of STDG1 are useful for gene variant interpretation and may even provide insight into the underlying molecular pathophysiology. In addition, pathognomonic imaging features of STGD1 have been used to train neural networks to improve time efficiency in lesion segmentation and disease progression measurements. This review will discuss the role of key imaging modalities, correlate imaging signs across varied STGD1 presentations and illustrate the use of multimodal imaging as an outcome measure in determining the efficacy of emerging STGD1 specific therapies.

Drug Delivery via the Suprachoroidal Space for the Treatment of Retinal Diseases

The suprachoroidal space (SCS), a potential space between the sclera and choroid, is becoming an applicable method to deliver therapeutics to the back of the eye. In recent years, a vast amount of research in the field has been carried out, with new discoveries in different areas of interest, such as imaging, drug delivery methods, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapies in preclinical and clinical trials and advanced therapies. The SCS can be visualized via advanced techniques of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with different pathologies, and even in healthy eyes. Drugs can be delivered easily and safely via hollow microneedles fitted to the length of the approximate thickness of the sclera. SCS injections were found to reach greater baseline concentrations in the target layers compared to intravitreal (IVT) injection, while agent clearance was faster with highly aqueous soluble molecules. Clinical trials with SCS injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) were executed with promising findings for patients with noninfectious uveitis (NIU), NIU implicated with macular edema and diabetic macular edema (DME). Gene therapy is evolving rapidly with viral and non-viral vectors that were found to be safe and efficient in preclinical trials. Here, we review these novel different aspects and new developments in clinical treatment of the posterior segment of the eye.

[Results of optical coherence tomography angiography in choroidal melanoma]

Blood supply is known to be required for tumor growth and metastasis, and the formation of the tumor's own vasculature plays a critical role in the development of solid neoplasms. The method of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is considered promising for the study of angioarchitectonics.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the OCTA signs of choroidal melanoma (CM) depending on its sizes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 24 patients with CM (24 eyes, of them with small CM - 22 eyes) aged 55.0±12.08 years (37 to 80 years old) with mean prominence of 2.35±0.87 mm (1.0 to 4.7 mm).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Retinal vascular attenuation in the tumor area was observed in 21 eyes. Changes in angioarchitectonics in the area of CM localization can be detected at a thickness of 1 mm, and the tumor's own vasculature - starting with a thickness of 1.4 mm. The development of vascular changes in CM can be represented as follows: initially, with CM prominence of up to 1.4 mm, indirect signs of increased blood flow in the overlaying choriocapillaris layer are visualized, most likely due to its compression; as the tumor grows and its thickness increases in its most dominant part, the choriocapillaris layer is completely destroyed, which leads to reactive expansion of the choroidal capillaries along the layer's edges. This is manifested as attenuation of the vascular signal in the central part of the tumor and its intensification along its edges. In the meantime, collaterals begin to form in the deep vascular plexus of the retina. Later on, chaotic vascular arches begin to form in the inner layers of the choroid along the tumor edge; as the tumor grows, they anastomose with the retinal vessels. Identification of the tumor's own vessels in the deeper-lying layers is possible with tumor prominence of at least 1.4 mm. At the level of the deep choroidal layers, the tumor's vascular pattern is more consistent with the angiographic data and patterns of vasculogenic mimicry described in literature.

CONCLUSION

Changes in angioarchitectonics in the area of CM localization can be detected at a thickness of 1 mm, and the tumor's own vasculature - starting with a thickness of 1.4 mm. The vascular pattern at the level of the deep choroidal layers best corresponds to the reported angiographic picture and patterns of vasculogenic mimicry.

[Choroidal melanoma and retinal changes]

Literary sources suggest the existence of a new phenotype - retinoinvasive choroidal melanoma (CM). However, the factual evidence of its spreading over the inner retinal surface cannot be dismissed.

PURPOSE

To study the capabilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in terms of finding the ways CM spreads into the retina based on pathomorphological examination of the eyes enucleated due to CM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

OCT tomograms of 64 eyes with CM (mean tumor elevation - 2.89±0.19 mm, diameter - 9.58±0.43 mm) were studied. Pathomorphological study was conducted on 18 eyes with CM elevated by up to 7 mm and without previous treatment.

RESULTS

OCT revealed signs of melanoma invading into the retina in 49 eyes. Among those signs were: presence of retina/CM aggregation (21 eyes), tearing of Bruch's membrane and retinal pigment epithelium, disturbed differentiation of outer retinal layers (15 eyes). Combination of two types of invasion was found in 11 eyes. Pathomorphological study showed low mitotic activity of CM and the presence of a small number of fine-local necroses and hemorrhages. Invasion of CM into the retina was determined in 13 eyes. Retinal invasion began with local destruction of Bruch's membrane (BM) and was often limited by the photoreceptor level, disturbing architectonics of the retina and nuclear layers. Large CMs were accompanied by rough destruction of the Bruch's membrane, tumor cells - in the edematous retina with cystoid dystrophy, in its inner layers, invading into the vitreous body. Infiltration of the retina to inner nuclear layer was accompanied by its transudative detachment and cystoid dystrophy.

CONCLUSION

Invasion of CM into the retina affecting all of its layers imposes use of OCT to examine the integrity of the retina, even with a tumor of small thickness. Tumoral infiltration of the retina and localization of tumor near the optic disc are two contraindications for local endovitreal resection. Brachytherapy requires consideration of tumor characteristics and thickness of the retina for calculation of apical radiation dose.

Age-Related Changes in Choroidal Thickness and the Volume of Vessels and Stroma Using Swept-Source OCT and Fully Automated Algorithms

PURPOSE

To determine age-related changes in choroidal thickness and the volume of choroidal vessels and stroma using automated algorithms based on structural swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) scans.

DESIGN

Prospective and observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 144 normal participants with ages ranging from 20 to 88 years.

METHODS

A previously reported strategy was used to automatically segment the choroid using SS-OCT structural images. Attenuation correction was applied on B-scans to enhance the choroidal contrast and facilitate more accurate automatic segmentation of the 3-dimensional choroidal vessel and stroma. The parameters that we investigated included mean choroidal thickness (MCT), choroidal vessel volume (CVV), choroidal stroma volume (CSV), choroid vascularity index (CVI), and the choroidal stroma-to-vessel volume ratio (CSVR). Correlations between MCT and choroidal vessel metrics of CVV, CSV, CVI, and CSVR were studied. Regional distributions of MCT and CVI were analyzed using a grid centered on the fovea. Age-related changes in MCT, CVV, CSV, and CVI were studied in the entire scanning region, as well as in the subregions of the grids.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age-related changes in MCT, CVV, CSV, and CVI using 6×6-mm and 12×12-mm SS-OCT scans.

RESULTS

The automated choroid segmentations were validated against manual segmentations, and MCT measurements were shown to be in good agreement (P < 0.0001). Choroidal vessel volume and CSV showed significant correlations with MCT (all P < 0.0001). Interestingly, CVI and CSVR were constant, with little variation among all participants regardless of age and MCT (61.1±1.8% and 0.64±0.05, respectively). Measurements on 12×12-mm and 6×6-mm scans showed excellent agreement in all scan regions (all P < 0.0001). While choroidal thickness and choroidal volume, which includes both choroidal vessels and stroma, decrease with age (all P < 0.0001), the CVI and CSVR vary little among all ages in all regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas MCT, CVV, and CSV decrease with age, the CVI and CSVR remain constant in all regions with age. Ongoing studies are using these automated algorithms on SS-OCT structural datasets to investigate the diagnostic usefulness of these choroidal parameters in a myriad of ocular and systemic diseases.

Factors Influencing Central Lamina Cribrosa Depth: A Multicenter Study

Purpose

To quantify the influence of ocular and demographic factors on central laminar depth (LD) in healthy participants.

Methods

A total of 362 normal subjects underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) enhanced depth imaging of the optic nerve head (ONH) with a 24 radial B-scan pattern aligned to the fovea–to–Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) axis. BMO, anterior lamina, anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO), Bruch's membrane (BM), and the peripapillary scleral surface were manually segmented. The extent of laminar segmentation was quantified within 72 ASCO subsectors. Central LD was quantified relative to four reference planes: BMO, ASCO, BM, and scleral. The effects of age, sex, ethnicity, IOP, BMO area, ASCO area, and axial length on LD were assessed.

Results

Laminar visibility was most consistent within the central ASCO (median 89%, range, 69%–95%). LD_BMO and LD_BM were significantly shallower in eyes with greater age, BMO area, and axial length and in females. LD_ASCO was shallower in eyes with greater ASCO area and axial length and in European and Hispanic descent compared to African descent eyes. LD_Sclera behaved similarly, but was not associated with axial length. BMO and ASCO area were not different between African descent and European descent eyes.

Conclusions

Central LD was deeper in African descent eyes and influenced least by age, axial length, and sex, but more by ASCO area, when measured relative to the ASCO and sclera. However, the magnitude of these effects for all four reference planes was small, and their clinical importance in the detection of glaucoma and its progression remains to be determined.

Attenuation correction assisted automatic segmentation for assessing choroidal thickness and vasculature with swept-source OCT

Swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) is being used more widely in clinical studies to investigate the choroid due to its deeper penetration under the retinal pigment epithelium and improved image quality compared with spectral domain OCT. However, automatic methods to reliably assess choroidal thickness and vasculature are still limited. This paper reports an approach that applies attenuation correction on SS-OCT structural scans to facilitate accurate automatic segmentation of the choroid and provides visualization of the choroidal vasculature without the necessity of OCT angiography. After attenuation correction, enhanced interlayer contrast at the choroidal-scleral interface was observed (from 0.13 ± 0.05 to 0.29 ± 0.10; P < 0.001). An algorithm that segmented the choroid from attenuation compensated B-scans achieved significantly higher accuracy when compared with an automated segmentation performed on regular OCT scans (91.8 ± 3.7% vs.74.5 ± 8.0%; P < 0.01). After attenuation correction, en face images of choroidal vessels were achieved with fewer artifacts from retinal vessels. Measurements of mean choroidal thickness and vessel density showed high repeatability. The attenuation correction assisted segmentation of the choroid and visualization of the choroidal vasculature will be helpful in studying the quantitative changes that occur in a myriad of diseases involving the choroid such as age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, pathologic myopia, central serous chorioretinopathy, and inflammatory eye conditions.

[Morphogenesis of choroidal melanomas in OCT imaging]

When planning conservation therapy for choroidal melanoma (CM), evaluation of its size and stage is done using various methods of visualization, among which is optical coherence tomography (OCT). A recently introduced modification of OCT - Enhanced Depth Imaging (EDI) allows observation of deep choroid and sclera.

PURPOSE

To specify clinicomorphologic correlations between OCT signs related to CM and its pathomorphological state as described in literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 33 patients with predominantly small CM who were examined with EDI-OCT.

RESULTS

The following surface profiles were revealed: small and medium sized CM with even and uneven surface and with a plateau on the top; medium sized CM with flattened edge. Bruch's membrane (BM) had folds along the tumor edge in medium and big CM. In mushroom-shaped CM, extended defective areas could be observed. Increase of optical density in the inner parts of choroidal complex were seen over time. In CM of 2.9 mm and less, cavities were observed in the middle layers of choroid in the tumor area. In roughly half of the cases, vascular distention was seen in choroid in the tumor periphery. Changes of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) included its thickening and presence of hyperreflective foci. In CM with prominence of more than 2.17 mm at the top, the changes included the formation of a 'single unitary block' at the level of BM/RPE and neurosensory retinal layers. Intraretinal cysts could be seen on top of the tumor at the level of outer retinal layers in CM with prominence of more than 1.5 mm.

CONCLUSION

Comparison of OCT images of CM with various biometric parameters with literature data on pathomorphological changes helped specify early pathomorphological symptoms in perifocal choroid (a feature of initial CM) and highly dynamic phasing of secondary changes in the retina.

Short term effect of choroid thickness in the horizontal meridian detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography in myopic children after orthokeratology

AIM

To investigate choroidal thickness changes in the horizontal meridian after orthokeratology.

METHODS

This is a prospective cross-sectional observed study. Subjects (n=30; 11.3±1.7y) with low-to-moderate myopia (-1.0 to -6.0 diopters), wore orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses for 3mo. Before and after Ortho-K, OCT scans were made through the fovea in the horizontal meridian. Choroid thickness around the fovea was acquired by custom software. The analyzed regions along the horizontal meridian were divided into 7 equal zones. Ocular parameters were measured by Lenstar LS 900 non-contact biometry.

RESULTS

Only the right eye ocular parameters were analyzed in this study. Before Ortho-K, choroidal thickness along the horizontal meridian was 273.7±31.8 µm in the temporal zone, 253.1±38.6 µm in the macula zone, and 194.8±52.2 µm in the nasal zone. After Ortho-K, the choroid was thicker in each horizontal zone (P<0.05). The increased thickness was greatest in the temporal zone (13.5±22.5 µm) and least in the nasal zone (8.4±14.2 µm). The axial length (AL) increased 0.02 mm (P>0.05). The choroid thickness change in each horizontal zone was negatively correlated with AL (r, -0.3 to -0.4; P<0.05) except one of the nasal zones.

CONCLUSION

In myopic children, the thickness of the choroid is greatest in the temporal zone and thinnest in the nasal zone. After nightly Ortho-K for 3mo, the thickness increase along the horizontal meridian. The choroid thickness changes are negatively correlated with the change of AL.

Choroidal Changes After Suprachoroidal Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide in Eyes With Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE

To evaluate choroidal and suprachoroidal changes following suprachoroidal injection of triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (CLS-TA), in eyes with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study within a randomized, controlled phase 2 clinical trial.

METHODS

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images were analyzed from 38 eyes of 38 treatment-naïve patients with macular edema due to RVO, enrolled in the prospective Suprachoroidal Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide with Intravitreal Aflibercept in Subjects with Macular Edema Due to Retinal Vein Occlusion (TANZANITE) study who received either a suprachoroidal injection of CLS-TA with an intravitreal injection of aflibercept (combination arm) or only an intravitreal injection of aflibercept (monotherapy arm), followed by monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections in both arms based on pro re nata criteria.

RESULTS

Macular choroidal thickness measured to the outer choroidal vessel lumen (vascular choroidal thickness, VCT), outer choroid stroma (stromal choroidal thickness, SCT), or inner scleral border (total choroidal thickness, TCT) showed no significant changes over 3 months in both study arms (P = .231-.342). Eyes that received combination therapy showed a trend toward thickening of the suprachoroidal space (SCS) compared with monotherapy alone (13.4 μm vs 5.3 μm at 3 months; P = .077). In the 15 eyes that demonstrated a visible SCS at baseline, the SCS expanded significantly after suprachoroidal CLS-TA injection (16.2 μm to 27.8 μm at 3 months; P = .033).

CONCLUSIONS

Suprachoroidal injection of CLS-TA does not alter choroidal thickness in eyes with macular edema due to RVO, but may result in expansion of the SCS.