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To assess choroidal structural changes in diabetic patients in association with disease duration, HbA1c level, and presence of retinopathy.This retrospective cross-sectional study included treatment-naive patients with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (group 1), diabetic patients without DR (group 2), and healthy subjects (group 3). Patients were also grouped according to the duration of diabetes: long-term group ( 15 years, n = 32) and short-term group (˂ 15 years, n = 28). The choroidal thickness was measured at three points; subfoveal, 1500 μm nasal, and 1500 μm temporal to the fovea. The choroidal area, stromal area, luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were quantified using ImageJ. Partial correlation analysis and one-way analysis of covariance test were performed for statistical analysis.The study included 30 eyes of 30 treatment-naive patients with NPDR (group 1), 30 eyes of 30 diabetic patients without DR (group 2), and 30 eyes of 30 healthy persons (group 3). The mean subfoveal, nasal, and temporal choroidal thicknesses were decreased in group 1 in comparison with controls (p 0.001, p = 0.035, and p = 0.005, respectively). The mean LA in group 1 and group 2 were both significantly lower compared to group 3 (group 1 vs. group 3, p = 0.004; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.020). CVI was significantly lower in group 1 and group 2 than in controls (group 1 vs. group 3, p = 0.019; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.025). CVI was significantly lower in the long-duration group than in the short-duration group (p 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and CVI (r = - 0.467, p 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between HbA1c level and luminal area and CVI (r = - 0.466, p 0.001, and r = - 0.425, p 0.001, respectively).Choroidal structure and CVI are altered even in the absence of clinically confirmed retinopathy and these alterations are related to the duration of diabetes.

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence supporting an association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and systemic vascular disorders. However, the data on choroidal microvasculature are limited. In recent years, choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) have been of considerable interest as objective markers of choroidal vascularity. We hypothesized that the imbalance of vascular regulation in OSAS may adversely affect the CT and CVI and may help to assess the vascular risk in these patients. PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the choroidal morphology in patients with OSAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with moderate OSAS were included to this study. The subfoveal, nasal, and temporal CT were calculated. The choroidal area (CA) was binarized to the luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) using ImageJ software. The CVI was calculated as the proportion of the LA to the total CA. RESULTS Of 40 eyes of 40 patients, the mean subfoveal CT was significantly decreased in the OSAS group in comparison to the controls (p = 0.032). The mean CA, LA, and SA were decreased in the OSAS group compared with the controls, but the differences did not reach a statistical significance (p = 0.132, p = 0.104, and p = 0.184, respectively). The CVI was not significantly changed in patients with OSAS (p = 1.000). CONCLUSION Unlike CT, there were no significant differences in choroidal structural parameters and CVI in patients with OSAS.

To determine the cut-off levels for choroidal thickness and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) to differentiate among pachychoroid spectrum diseases.A retrospective comparative study METHODS: A total of 143 eyes were included. Of these 29 had uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP), 29 had pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), 25 had pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV), 30 had central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and 30 had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). The choroidal areas were measured with ImageJ software. The CVI, the proportion of the luminal area to the total choroidal area, was assessed.The cut-off points of central choroidal thickness were determined as 360 µm for the PPE and PCV group pair (p 0.001), 422 µm for the PNV and CSC group pair (p = 0.026), 271 µm for the PNV and PCV group pair (p 0.001), and 341 µm for the CSC and PCV group pair (p 0.001). The cut-off points of CVI were 72.7 for the PPE and PCV group pair (p 0.001), 74.7 for the PNV and CSC group pair (p = 0.005), 72.6 for the PNV and PCV group pair (p = 0.001), and 73.6 for the CSC and PCV group pair (p 0.001).Pachychoroid spectrum may be composed of a combination of distinct choroidal diseases with different vascular and structural characteristics.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal vascularity index (CVI) after a single dose of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in refractory diabetic macular oedema (DME). Methods: Total choroidal area, luminal area, and CVI were measured at baseline, 1st month, and at 3rd month after dexamethasone implant using binarization of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images. Results: A total of 25 eyes of 25 patients (mean age: 61.4 ± 8.3 years; 12 males, 13 females), were enroled in the study. All eyes had been previously treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections (mean number of injections 4.6 ± 2.5). Mean CVI was 70.3 ± 8.1 prior to intravitreal dexamethasone treatment. It was decreased to 66.1 ± 9.3 at 1 month and 63.5 ± 10.1 at 3 months after treatment. The mean CVI was significantly decreased at 3 months compared with pre-treatment measures (p = 0.033). Conclusion: CVI was found to be decreased in patients who responded to intravitreal dexamethasone implant. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

To evaluate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in the fellow eyes of patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PCN) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Fifty-eight asymptomatic fellow eyes from 58 patients diagnosed with PCN or CSC and 26 eyes from 26 healthy participants were included. The total choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were measured with ImageJ software and Niblack threshold method. The CVI, which was the proportion of the LA to the CA, was assessed. The CA, LA, and SA were widest in the fellow eyes of the CSC group. The differences between the fellow eyes of the CSC group and the control group and the differences between the fellow eyes of the PCN group and the CSC group were significant (p < 0.001). The CVI of the fellow eyes of the CSC group was significantly higher than the control group (74.93 ± 3.58 vs. 73.38 ± 3.09, p = 0.023). The differences in the CA, LA, and SA in particular pachychoroid diseases were evident in the asymptomatic fellow eyes. Pachychoroid diseases are characterized by thick choroid or vessels as a common feature, but they may have different structural choroidal features, which might result in different consequences.

Purpose: To evaluate the choroidal structural parameters, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and optic density index (ODI) and their correlations in patients with migraine. Methods: Twenty-eight newly diagnosed migraine patients and 28 age-matched healthy controls were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The enhanced depth-optical coherence tomography images were evaluated. The choroidal area (CA) was binarized to the luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) using Image J. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI), the mean peripapillary RNFL thickness, superior-inferior-nasal-temporal quadrant RNFL thicknesses, and the ODI were compared statistically. Results: The difference in the mean CVI between the patient group and controls reached a statistical significance (p=0.035). The mean RNFL thickness was significantly decreased in patients with migraine compared with the controls (p=0.040). The mean RNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, and inferior quadrants was significantly decreased in the patient group in comparison to the control subjects (p=0.030, p=0.001, and p=0.022, respectively). There were no significant differences between the migraine group and the controls for the mean ODI of RNFL (p=0.399). Conclusion: The CVI and the RNFL thickness except for the nasal quadrant were significantly decreased in newly diagnosed migraine patients. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Background: To assess the vascularity of choriocapillaris and structural choroidal differences in eyes with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) and soft drusen. Methods: 21 eyes with RPD (group 1), 17 eyes with soft drusen (group 2), and 19 eyes as a control group (group 3) were included in this study. Choriocapillaris vascular density and flow area were measured by optical coherence tomography angiography. Total choroidal area, luminal area, stromal area, and lumen/stroma ratios were measured on optical coherence tomography B-scans converted to binary images. Results: Mean choriocapillaris vascular density was higher in group 3 than other groups (group 1 vs 3, p = 0.001; group 2 vs 3, p = 0.003). Mean flow area in choriocapillaris was higher in group 3 than other groups (group 1 vs 3, p = 0.001; group 2 vs 3, p = 0.001). Mean luminal, stromal, and total choroidal areas decreased in group 1 and group 2 compared to controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The stroma ratio decreased in group 1 compared to group 3 (p = 0.013). The lumen ratio and lumen/stroma ratio increased in group 1 compared to group 3 (p = 0.012 and p = 0.008, respectively). Conclusions: The choroid of eyes with RPD and soft drusen was affected in both choriocapillaris and whole choroid layer. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Background: To evaluate the choroidal structural changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients without previous optic neuritis (ON) attacks. Methods: Forty eyes of 20 MS patients without a history of ON and 40 eyes of 20 age-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. The choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at three points; subfoveal, 1500 µm nasal to the fovea, and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. Choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated using ImageJ. Results: The mean subfoveal, nasal and temporal CT were decreased in MS patients compared to controls (for all, p < 0.001). The mean LA was 0.572 ± 0.113 mm2 in MS group, and 0.729 ± 0.188 mm2 in controls (p = 0.002). The mean CVI was decreased in the MS group (69.38% ± 4.87) in comparison to the controls (73.41% ± 5.18) (p = 0.034). Conclusion: The current study demonstrated significant anatomical alterations of the choroid in the eyes of patients with MS. © 2022

We report a case of unilateral varicella-zoster virus (VZV) related keratouveitis and papillitis. A 54-year-old male presented with headache, left forehead rash, and decreased vision in the left eye. Examination of the left eye showed visual acuity (VA) of 0.15, relative afferent pupillary defect, anterior stromal corneal edema, nongranulomatous keratic precipitates, a swollen and hyperemic optic disc. The patient could read 6/12 of the Ishihara plates in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed optic disc edema and OCT angiography (OCTA) revealed increased peripapillary vascularity. Computerized visual field testing demonstrated an enlarged blind spot and lower altitudinal defect. Serum anti-VZV IgM antibody level was elevated. The patient was put on oral acyclovir and prednisone treatment. At 1-month follow-up visit, VA increased to 0.9 and color vision was 11/12 Ishihara plates. OCT showed resolution of optic disc edema and OCTA demonstrated normalization of the increased peripapillary vascularity. Computerized visual field test demonstrated improvement in the lower altitudinal visual field defect and normalization of the enlarged blind spot. Optic nerve involvement in VZV infection occurs rarely, especially in immunocompetent patients as in our case.

Migraine is thought to be a neurovascular disorder and increases the likelyhood to develop ischemic complications. Studies have shown that vascular disorders such as ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal artery and vein obstructions are more common in patients with migraine. This study aimed to evaluate the differences between retinal and optic disc microvasculature between migraine patients with and without aura and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. Thirty-three patients with migraine and 28 healthy subjects were included in this prospective cross sectional study. Optical coherence tomography angiography imaging was performed for the macula and optic disc. Vessel densities (VD) and choriocapillaris flow values were compared between three groups: control group, migraine with aura (MWA), and migraine without aura (MWOA). There was no difference between the three groups for the VDs of the foveal, perifoveal, parafoveal, and the whole area. The choriocapillaris flow of patients with MWA was significantly less than that of the MWOA and control groups. The VDs of the optic disc revealed no significant difference between the three groups. A lack of choriocapillaris autoregulatory mechanisms may be a possible cause of the decrease in choriocapillaris flow in patients with MWA.

PubMed: 30617579 Purpose: To concurrently evaluate the effect of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (hf PDT) on choriocapillaris (CC) perfusion and choroidal structure in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: This prospective study included 48 eyes of 41 patients with chronic CSC. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were analyzed. Choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were computed using Image J software. Results: One month after hf-PDT, total CA decreased to 1.312 mm 2 from 1.490 mm 2 (p < 0.001), LA decreased to 0.981 mm 2 from 1.097 mm 2 (p < 0.001), and SA decreased to 0.331 mm 2 from 0.393 mm 2 (p < 0.001). In OCTA, the CC flow in the eyes with CSC (17.75 mm 2 ) was statistically significantly lower than the fellow eyes (18.93 mm 2 ) at the baseline visit (p < 0.001). After hf-PDT, the flow in the choriocapillaris statistically significantly increased to 18.81 mm 2 at the first month (p = 0.02). Conclusions: OCTA proves that after hf-PDT a significant increase in CC perfusion occurred at first month. The decrease of the luminal areas in enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography is mainly due to a decrease in large-caliber vessels, which indicates that hf-PDT has an effect on larger choroidal vessels and spares CC flow. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.