Long-term follow-up demonstrates change in conformation shape of the focal choroidal excavation lesions.

PURPOSE: This study aims to present long-term observation of 5 eyes with focal choroidal excavation (FCE), focusing on morphological changes in conformity of the lesion. METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted, including 5 eyes of 5 patients with FCE. The study utilized multimodal imaging including color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), red free imaging, and OCT angiography. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 51 ± 10.65 years, with a mean follow-up period 37 ± 13.59 months. All cases were unilateral, with 1 presenting FCE as an isolated lesion, and one patient exhibiting 2 FCEs in one eye. The mean choroidal thickness measured by EDI-OCT was 268.2 ± 63.39 µm in the affected eye. One patient displayed choroidal thickening and pachyvessels. Of the 5 eyes, one had conforming and 4 non-conforming FCE. We observed a conversion in conformity in all patients, with 4 cases transitioning from non-conforming FCE to conforming type (3 spontaneously, 1 treatment-induced). In conforming FCE, a hyporeflective space appeared twice between neuroretina and retinal pigment epithelium with spontaneous regression. CONCLUSION: We observed change in shape from the conforming to non-conforming FCE and vice versa in all patients. We consider this small change in the hyporeflective space as non-pathologic and clinically insignificant.

Punctate inner choroidopathy: A review of the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is an uncommon idiopathic inflammatory condition characterized by multifocal chorioretinopathy that primarily affects young adults, with a predilection for myopic females. Clinically, it manifests as small, yellowish-white lesions in the inner choroid and outer retina, often associated with inflammatory changes. Accurate diagnosis remains a challenge due to its resemblance to other posterior uveitic entities, necessitating an astute clinical eye and advanced imaging techniques for differentiation. Multimodal imaging plays a crucial role by offering valuable insights, as it enables the visualization of various abnormalities related to uveitis. The pathogenesis of PIC is still a subject of debate, with a complex interplay of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors proposed. Managing PIC presents multiple challenges for clinicians. Firstly, variable disease severity within and among patients requires diverse treatments, from observation to aggressive immunosuppression and/or anti-VEGF therapy. Secondly, treatment must distinguish between primary causes of vision loss. New or worsening PIC lesions suggest active inflammation, while new neovascular membranes may indicate secondary neovascular processes. Thirdly, deciding on maintenance therapy is complex, balancing PIC prognosis variability against immunosuppression risks. Some patients have long periods of inactivity and remission, while others face sudden, vision-threatening episodes during quiescent phases. Through a systematic review of the literature, this paper sheds light on the current understanding of PIC, its challenges, and the prospects for future research. By synthesizing existing knowledge, it aims to aid clinicians in accurate diagnosis and guide treatment decisions for improved visual outcomes in individuals affected by PIC.

MULTIMODAL RETINAL IMAGING REVEALS NEW PATHOGENIC INSIGHTS IN CENTRAL AREOLAR CHOROIDAL DYSTROPHY: A CASE SERIES.

PURPOSE: To describe novel imaging findings in a family affected by central areolar choroidal dystrophy. METHODS: Case series with multimodal retinal imaging assessment. RESULTS: A 19-year-old asymptomatic woman was referred for bilateral macular defects of the retinal pigment epithelium. Blue-light autofluorescence of her right eye revealed a speckled pattern in the macular area with a ring of decreased autofluorescence using near-infrared autofluorescence. Multimodal assessment of her left eye disclosed a single parafoveal spot of decreased pigmentation that was clearly visible as hyperautofluorescent using blue-light autofluorescence and as hypoautofluorescent using near-infrared autofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography angiography revealed several tiny areas of flow voids in correspondence of the retinal pigment epithelium alterations of both eyes. Three family members were recently diagnosed with presumed age-related macular degeneration and demonstrated well-demarcated areas of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy surrounded by yellowish deposits and a hypopigmented halo. Next-generation genetic analysis for inherited macular dystrophies was performed on the index case and the affected family members and revealed a p.Arg172Gln missense mutation in PRPH2 gene, leading to the diagnosis of central areolar choroidal dystrophy. CONCLUSION: Multimodal imaging can reveal new pathogenic insights in central areolar choroidal dystrophy. Of notice, near-infrared autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography angiography are able to detect retinal pigment epithelium hypopigmentation and choriocapillaris rarefaction, respectively, since the earliest stages of the disease.

New Imaging Technology for Simultaneous Multiwavelength-UWF Fundus Fluorescein Angiography and Indocyanine Green Angiography With Navigated Central and Peripheral SS-OCT.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess central and peripheral retinal and choroidal diseases using novel simultaneous multiwavelength-ultra-widefield (MW-UWF) fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)/indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with navigated central and peripheral swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technology. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation was carried out of 30 consecutive patients (60 eyes) who underwent UWF red/green (RG), infrared (IR), FFA and ICGA with simultaneous navigated SS-OCT using Optos Silverstone (Optos PLC). Angiographic retinal and choroidal findings in vascular pathologies and their relationship with the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) were assessed. RESULTS: Simultaneous FFA with navigated SSOCT was performed in all patients and simultaneous FFA-ICGA with SS-OCT in 18 eyes (30%). Cross-sectional central and peripheral changes in the retina, choroid, and VRI corresponding with angiographic findings in several diseases were imaged. CONCLUSION: First-in-human study of a new technology providing UWF RG/FFA/ICGA with simultaneous navigated central and peripheral SS-OCT can guide clinical management and provide new insights and understanding of central and peripheral retinal and choroidal disease. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:401-410.].

SCLERAL EXCAVATION AT OBLIQUE MUSCLE INSERTIONS: IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS AND CORRELATION WITH SCLERAL PLAQUES AND SCLEROCHOROIDAL CALCIFICATION.

PURPOSE: To compare the imaging features of lesions showing hyporeflective posterior scleral excavation found near the insertions of the oblique extraocular muscles to the features and the natural course of Cogan scleral plaques. METHODS: Multimodal imaging with color fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), swept-source optical coherence tomography, and B-scan ultrasonography. RESULTS: A 71-year-old man and an 89-year-old man presented with ring-shaped hypopigmented lesions measuring between 200 µm and 300 µm transversally, and located along the superior vascular arcade and temporal to the fovea. All lesions were identified near the insertion of oblique muscles, with one observed in the temporal macula, and two found along the superotemporal arcades. Enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography showed hyporeflective boat-shaped areas of scleral excavation with reduced choroidal thickness along their margins. B-scan ultrasonography showed the lesions to be intensely reflective with varying degrees of posterior shadowing. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of excavated hyporeflective scleral lesions found near the oblique muscle insertions. Imaging and clinical data support the diagnosis of a posterior form of Cogan scleral plaque and are consistent with the natural course of this entity.

[Research progress of pachychoroid disease spectrum].

Pachychoroid disease spectrum encompasses central serous chorioretinopathy,polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy,pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy,pachychoroid neovasculopathy,focal choroidal excavation,peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome and peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy,etc. The typical choroidal changes of the spectrum are abnormally dilated pachyvessels,choroidal thickening with overlying retinal pigmentary epithelium changes. However,the clinical manifestations and prognosis of entities described within pachychoroid spectrum are different. Significant advances in multimodal imaging have enabled a deeper understanding of the pachychoroid disease spectrum. This paper reviews the pathophysiological alterations,multimodal imaging features and possible pathogenesis of pachychoroid disease spectrum.

Progression of Polypoidal Lesions Associated with Exudative Recurrence in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of the branching vascular network (BVN) and polypoidal lesions in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) to determine near-term indicators that may predict exudative recurrence. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with PCV receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy or anti-VEGF plus photodynamic therapy were followed for at least 1 year using swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging. METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether exudative recurrence occurred during follow-up. Multiple parameters were collected and compared between the 2 groups, such as age, gender, visual acuity, number of polypoidal lesions, lesion area at the first SS-OCTA visit, and total lesion area change from the first SS-OCTA visit to the last SS-OCTA visit. To evaluate the association between SS-OCTA imaging-based risk factors and the exudative recurrences, imaging features associated with PCV such as BVN growth and polypoidal lesion progression (enlargement, new appearance, and reappearance) at each follow-up visit were analyzed. The time intervals from the nonexudative visit with lesion progression to the corresponding exudative recurrence visit were documented to explore their association with exudative recurrences. Cox regression and logistic regression analyses were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between BVN growth and polypoidal lesion progression with exudative recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients (61% men) were included. Sixteen eyes had no recurrence of exudation, and 15 eyes had recurrence during follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 20.55 ± 6.86 months (range, 12-36 months). Overall, the recurrence group had worse best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.019) and a greater increase in lesion area (P = 0.010). Logistical regression analysis showed that polypoidal lesion progression, including new appearance, enlargement, and reappearance of polypoidal lesions, was associated with exudative recurrences within 3 months (odds ratio, 26.67, 95% confidence interval, 3.77-188.54, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Growth of nonexudative BVN and progression of polypoidal lesions were found to be lesion characteristics associated with exudative recurrences, and progression of polypoidal lesions might serve as a stand-alone indicator for the near-term onset of exudation. In PCV, more frequent follow-up visits are recommended when polypoidal lesions show progression.

BILATERAL MACULAR CHOROIDAL ABNORMALITIES WITH DRUSENOID DEPOSITS IN PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL PERIPHERAL EXUDATIVE HEMORRHAGIC CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To investigate bilateral macular features on optical coherence tomography in patients with unilateral peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, optical coherence tomography features of affected eyes (PEHCR group, n = 30) and unaffected contralateral eyes (contralateral group, n = 30) were investigated. Age-matched and sex-matched patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV group, n = 51) and healthy controls (normal group, n = 50) were included to compare choroidal thickness, measured at six points apart from the fovea, with the PEHCR group. RESULTS: Subretinal drusenoid deposits were the most common feature in the PEHCR (20%) and contralateral (23%) groups, followed by soft drusen. Although the macular choroid was comparably thin in both the PEHCR and contralateral groups, pachyvessels were also observed. The choroids of the PEHCR group were significantly thinner than those of the normal group at the subfovea and 1-mm temporal to the fovea and considerably thinner than those of the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy group from 3-mm nasal to 3-mm temporal to the fovea. CONCLUSION: In patients with unilateral PEHCR, bilateral choroidal thinning and drusenoid deposit accumulation were noted in the macula. The pathophysiology of PEHCR may be a rare peripheral complication of age-related macular degeneration with pathologic choroid.

PREDICTORS AND IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETE POLYPOIDAL LESION REGRESSION IN THE EVEREST II STUDY: Predictors of Polyp Regression in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictors of complete polypoidal lesion regression (CPREG) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of EVEREST II-a 24-month, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial of 322 patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, randomized to receive ranibizumab with or without photodynamic therapy. Images of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were graded by a central reading center. Multiple logistic regression analysis with significant baseline predictors then was conducted to assess adjusted odds ratios for CPREG at month (M) 12. RESULTS: Baseline ICGA characteristics were comparable between the treatment groups. Patients treated with combination therapy had higher odds of achieving CPREG at M12 (adjusted odds ratio = 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 2.85-7.55; P < 0.001) compared with those in the monotherapy group. Absence of polypoidal lesion pulsation on ICGA was also associated with CPREG at M12 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.21; P = 0.006). The presence of CPREG at M3 had higher odds of maintaining CPREG at M12 (adjusted odds ratio = 6.60; 95% confidence interval, 3.77-11.57; P < 0.001) compared with those with persistent polypoidal lesions. CONCLUSION: At M12, treatment with combination therapy was associated with higher probability of achieving CPREG than with ranibizumab monotherapy. The results contribute to the further understanding of the response of polypoidal lesions to treatment.

Real world experience of the treatment outcome between photodynamic therapy combined with ranibizumab and aflibercept monotherapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

To provide real-world experiences of treating polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients with photodynamic therapy (PDT) plus intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or intravitreal injection of aflibercept alone. Retrospective chart review of patients with PCV in a single tertiary referral center in Taiwan. Chart review of PCV patients treated with PDT and injection of ranibizumab or injection of aflibercept. A total of 101 eyes of 101 patients (38 females and 63 males) were reviewed. Of those, 48 and 53 eyes received primary/adjunctive PDT along with injections of ranibizumab or intravitreal injections of aflibercept only, respectively. Initial visual acuity (VA) and central subfield choroidal thickness were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). In addition, changes in VA at 3, 6, and 12 months post treatment were similar. The central retinal thickness decreased with either treatment (p < 0.01); however, this change did not translate into VA performance (p > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis of pachychoroid and non-pachychoroid patients, better initial VA and post-treatment VA at 3 months and 6 months was noted in the latter group of patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy (p < 0.05). Aflibercept monotherapy is comparable with PDT plus ranibizumab in PCV patients with PCV (pachychoroid and non-pachychoroid patients). In addition, better prognosis regarding VA was observed in non-pachychoroid patients treated with aflibercept monotherapy.

Optic disc edema and chorioretinal folds develop during strict 6° head-down tilt bed rest with or without artificial gravity.

Spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is hypothesized to develop as a consequence of the chronic headward fluid shift that occurs in sustained weightlessness. We exposed healthy subjects (n = 24) to strict 6° head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), an analog of weightlessness that generates a sustained headward fluid shift, and we monitored for ocular changes similar to findings that develop in SANS. Two-thirds of the subjects received a daily 30-min exposure to artificial gravity (AG, 1 g at center of mass, ~0.3 g at eye level) during HDTBR by either continuous (cAG, n = 8) or intermittent (iAG, n = 8) short-arm centrifugation to investigate whether this intervention would attenuate headward fluid shift-induced ocular changes. Optical coherence tomography images were acquired to quantify changes in peripapillary total retinal thickness (TRT), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and choroidal thickness, and to detect chorioretinal folds. Intraocular pressure (IOP), optical biometry, and standard automated perimetry data were collected. TRT increased by 35.9 µm (95% CI, 19.9-51.9 µm, p < 0.0001), 36.5 µm (95% CI, 4.7-68.2 µm, p = 0.01), and 27.6 µm (95% CI, 8.8-46.3 µm, p = 0.0005) at HDTBR day 58 in the control, cAG, and iAG groups, respectively. Chorioretinal folds developed in six subjects across the groups, despite small increases in IOP. Visual function outcomes did not change. These findings validate strict HDTBR without elevated ambient CO2 as a model for investigating SANS and suggest that a fluid shift reversal of longer duration and/or greater magnitude at the eye may be required to prevent or mitigate SANS.

Comparison of choroidal thickness measurements between spectral domain optical coherence tomography and swept source optical coherence tomography in children.

Choroidal thickness is associated with many ocular conditions, interchangeability among different generations of optical coherence tomography is therefore important for both research purpose and clinical application. Hence, we compared choroidal thickness measurements between spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in healthy paediatric eyes. A total of 114 children from the population-based Hong Kong Children Eye Study with mean age of 7.38 ± 0.82 years were included. Choroidal thickness of the right eye was measured by both devices. The central foveal choroidal thickness (CFCT) measured by SD-OCT and SS-OCT was 273.24 ± 54.29 µm and 251.84 ± 47.12 µm respectively. Inter-device correlation coefficient was 0.840 (95% CI 0.616-0.918). However, choroidal thickness obtained by SD-OCT was significantly thicker than that measured by SS-OCT with a mean difference of 21.40 ± 33.13 µm (P < 0.001). Bland-Altman limit of agreement on the relative difference scale for SD-OCT/SS-OCT was 86.33 µm. Validated conversion equation for translating SD-OCT CFCT measurement into SS-OCT was SS-OCT = 35.261 + 0.810 × SD-OCT. In conclusion, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) shows an acceptable agreement between SD-OCT and SS-OCT, however, there was a significant inter-device difference of choroidal thickness measurements in normal children eyes. Therefore, the measurements are not interchangeable.

Prevalence of and factors associated with dilated choroidal vessels beneath the retinal pigment epithelium among the Japanese.

Pachyvessels are pathologically dilated large choroidal vessels and are associated with the pathogenesis of several pachychoroid-related disorders, including central serous chorioretinopathy. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for pachyvessels in the Japanese population. We included 316 participants (aged ≥ 40 years) with normal right eyes. The presence of pachyvessels (vertical diameter > 300 µm, distance to the retinal pigment epithelium < 50 µm) was determined using 6 × 6 mm macular swept-source optical coherence tomography images, and associated risk factors were investigated. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured, and its associated risk factors investigated. The overall prevalence of pachychoroids was 9.5%. Regression analysis showed that a younger age, shorter axial length, male sex, and smoking were significantly associated with the presence of pachyvessels (p = 0.047; odds ratio [OR] 0.96 per year, p = 0.021; OR 0.61 per 1 mm, p = 0.012; OR 3.08 vs. female, and p = 0.011; OR 3.15 vs. non-smoker, respectively) and greater choroidal thickness (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.003, and p < 0.017, respectively). The results were consistent with other research findings which showed that pachychoroid-related disorders such as central serous chorioretinopathy were associated with younger age, male sex, shorter axial length, and smoking. Smoking may be associated with choroidal circulatory disturbance in the Japanese population.

Decreased choroidal and scleral thicknesses in highly myopic eyes with posterior staphyloma.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated choroidal thickness (CT) and scleral thickness (ST) in highly myopic eyes and their associations with ocular factors. Patients underwent widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the CT and ST at the subfovea and 3000 µm superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal to the fovea and macular curvature. A total of 237 eyes (154 patients) were included. At all five measurement points, thinner CTs and STs were associated with longer axial lengths (r = - 0.548 to - 0.357, all P < 0.001) and greater macular curvatures (r = - 0.542 to - 0.305, all P < 0.001). The CT and ST were significantly thinner in eyes with posterior staphyloma than in those without at all measurement points (all P ≤ 0.006) but did not differ between eyes with the wide macular and narrow macular type of staphyloma. Eyes with myopic maculopathy of category ≥ 3 according to the International Meta-Analysis for Pathologic Myopia classification had significantly thinner CTs and STs than those with category ≤ 2 (all P ≤ 0.005). In highly myopic eyes, a decrease in the CT and ST was more pronounced in eyes with more structural changes, such as longer axial length, steeper macular curvature, and the presence of posterior staphyloma.

Ocular Pathology and Occasionally Detectable Intraocular Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 RNA in Five Fatal Coronavirus Disease-19 Cases.

INTRODUCTION: In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic broke out. The virus rapidly spread globally, resulting in a major world public-health crisis. The major disease manifestation occurs in the respiratory tract. However, further studies documented other systemic involvement. This study investigates histopathologic eye changes in postmortem material of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: Sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded eyes from 5 patients (10 eyes) who died of COVID-19 at the University Hospital in Basel were included. Gross examination and histological evaluation were performed by 3 independent ophthalmopathologists. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies against fibrin, cleaved caspase 3, and ACE-2. Five enucleated eyes of patients not infected with SARS-CoV-2 served as control group. All cases have been studied for presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by means of reverse transcription PCR and RNA in situ hybridization (ISH). The choroidal vessels of one case were analyzed with electron microscope. RESULTS: Ophthalmopathologically, 8 eyes from 4 patients displayed swollen endothelial cells in congested choroidal vessels. No further evidence of specific eye involvement of SARS-CoV-2 was found in any of the patients. In the 8 eyes with evidence of changes due to SARS-CoV-2, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated fibrin microthrombi, apoptotic changes of endothelial and inflammatory cells. In control eyes, ACE-2 was detectable in the conjunctiva, cornea, retina, and choroidea and displayed significantly lower amounts of stained cells as in COVID-19 eyes. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detectable in both bulbi of 2/5 patients, yet ISH failed to visualize viruses. Electron microscopy showed no significant results due to the artifacts. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: As already described in other organs of COVID-19 patients, the ophthalmological examination revealed-microthrombi, that is, hypercoagulation and vasculopathy most probably due to endothelial damage. A possible viral spread to the endothelial cells via ACE-2 provides one pathophysiological explanation. The expression of ACE-2 receptors in the conjunctiva hints toward its susceptibility to infection. To what extend eyes, function is disrupted by SARS-CoV-2 is subject to further studies, especially in the clinic.

Impact of sub-foveal choroidal thickness on clinical features and long-term clinical outcomes in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical features and long-term clinical outcomes in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in eyes with different sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). METHODS: In this retrospective, observational comparative study, treatment-naïve eyes diagnosed with PCV using the 'EVEREST-2' study criteria were included. The eyes were divided into three groups of thin, medium and thick choroids, based on the SFCT data of total study eyes. Demographic, clinical, imaging features and treatment outcomes between the 3 groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-three eyes in 63 patients were included. Right eye was involved in 39 (61%) cases and left eye in 24 (39%) cases. Mean age was 68.3 ± 6.82 years (range 54-85 years). Mean SFCT was 274 µm (median = 269 µm), and one standard deviation was 79.2 µm. Totally, 11, 43 and 9 eyes were included in the thin, medium and thick choroid groups, respectively. The mean SFCT was 161 ± 24.1 µm, 275 ± 39.6 µm and 412 ± 26.2 µm in the thin, medium and thick choroid groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical and imaging features and treatment outcomes between eyes with thin, medium and thick SFCT. CONCLUSION: Eyes with PCV can have a choroid of varying thicknesses. Clinical, imaging and treatment responses were similar between the three sub-foveal choroidal thickness groups in this study. In future, more studies are required to evaluate the role of the choroidal thickness and its relationship to treatment in PCV.

CHORIOCAPILLARIS VASCULAR PARAMETERS IN NORMAL EYES AND THOSE WITH PACHYCHOROID WITH AND WITHOUT DISEASE.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vascular characteristics of the choriocapillaris in eyes with pachychoroid as compared with normal controls. METHODS: Eyes with pachychoroid disease were defined as those with a history of central serous chorioretinopathy or peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome. Pachychoroid without disease was defined as eyes with no history of disease with a subfoveal choroidal thickness ≥ the age-adjusted 95th percentile thickness. Frame-averaged optical coherence tomography angiography images of the choriocapillaris obtained with a Zeiss Plex Elite were binarized, skeletonized, and evaluated for vascular branching parameters. RESULTS: There were 7 normal control subjects, 10 subjects with pachychoroid without disease, and 17 pachychoroid disease subjects. Mean choriocapillaris vessel segment length was 12.19 µm in eyes with pachychoroid disease as compared with 11.48 µm in normal controls and 11.62 µm in pachychoroid without disease (P = 0.003 and P = 0.006, respectively). The branches per square millimeter were fewer in pachychoroid disease (1,215), as compared with normal controls (1,471) or pachychoroid without disease (1,384; P < 0.001, and P = 0.002, respectively). The choriocapillaris vessel diameter was larger, but the fractal dimension was smaller in pachychoroid disease eyes as compared with normal eyes or pachychoroid without disease eyes. There was no statistically significant difference between normal controls and pachychoroid without disease for any measured vascular parameter of the choriocapillaris. CONCLUSION: Choriocapillaris vascular parameters suggest that pachychoroid is not necessarily pathologic. It is possible that choroidal thickening is an epiphenomenon, and there are more significant vascular parameters that are related to disease. These concepts may help guide future prospective studies.

Quantitative measures of vortex veins in the posterior pole in eyes with pachychoroid spectrum diseases.

Pachychoroid spectrum diseases have attracted increasing attention, though their pathophysiology has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we assessed the vascular diameters of vortex veins in pachychoroid spectrum diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), pachychoroid neovasculopathy without polypoidal lesions (PNV), and pachychoroid neovasculopathy with polypoidal lesions (polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: PCV). In a retrospective case series of 94 eyes with CSC, 60 eyes with PNV and 57 with PCV, we binarized en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of choroidal vortex veins and analyzed the mean diameter of vortex veins. The presence of anastomosis between the superior and inferior vortex veins and central choroidal thickness (CCT) were also evaluated using OCT images. CSC showed significantly larger mean diameter of vortex veins than PCV (P < 0.05). Anastomosis between superior and inferior vortex veins was observed in over 90% of eyes with each pachychoroid spectrum disease. The patients with CSC were the youngest, followed by PNV patients, and then patients with PCV. The largest CCT values were observed in CSC eyes, followed by PNV eyes, and then PCV eyes. CCT correlated with the mean diameter of vortex veins (rs = 0.51, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that congestion of vortex veins might show gradual amelioration corresponding to the development of anastomosis between the superior and inferior vortex veins during the course of progression of pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Moreover, the mean diameter of vortex veins can be used as a parameter indicating choroidal congestion.

Choroid structure analysis following initiation of hemodialysis by using swept-source optical coherence tomography in patients with and without diabetes.

We aimed to evaluate choroid structural changes using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) following hemodialysis initiation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In this multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study, diabetic (DM group; 30 eyes; 16 patients) and nondiabetic patients (NDM group; 30 eyes; 15 patients) with ESKD were evaluated after hemodialysis initiation. SS-OCT findings were analyzed using a manual delineation technique and binarization method before the first and last hemodialysis sessions, conducted approximately 2 weeks apart. Subfoveal choroidal thickness changes and mean large choroidal vessel layer thickness were significantly greater in the DM group (-13.3% ± 2.5% and -14.5% ± 5.2%, respectively) than the NDM group (-9.5% ± 3.1% and -9.2% ± 3.4%, respectively; p = 0.049 and p = 0.02, respectively). Binarized SS-OCT analysis revealed that the mean subfoveal choroidal area was significantly larger in the DM group (-21.9% ± 6.5%) than the NDM group (-17.2% ± 5.9%; p = 0.032). The change ratio in mean luminal area values was significantly greater in the DM group (-27.7% ± 8.7%) than the NDM group (-17.7% ± 5.8%; p = 0.007). The DM group exhibited substantial changes in the choroidal layer, possibly reflecting choroidal vascular disorders caused by diabetes.