Investigation of choroidal structure changes after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effect of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) on the posterior segment structures of the eye and its changes with intravitreal anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) treatment. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included 29 eyes of 29 patients with RVO (17 males and 12 females) followed for 6 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macula, choroid ticknesses and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were recorded at baseline and the first, third, and sixth months after the first injection. Results were compared with fellow eyes (non-affected eyes) and age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: BCVA increased significantly in the 6th month, more in the first month of injection (p < 0.05 for each). Central macular tickness, subfoveal choroid tickness, stromal and total area of choroid decreased significantly after injection (p < 0.05 for each). CVI values increased significantly, especially in the 1st month after injection (p < 0.05 for each). In eyes with Branch RVO, there was a significant decrease in the macular thickness of the occlusive areas with treatment, while there was no statistically significant change in the non-occlusive macular thickness. CONCLUSION: Observation of changes in choroidal structure may be useful to assess the activity of RVO and predict the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy.

The measurement and correlation analysis of scleral and choroid thickness in branch retinal vein occlusion.

To use Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to measure scleral thickness (ST) and subfoveal choroid thickness (SFCT) in patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) and to conduct a correlation analysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted. From May 2022 to December 2022, a total of 34 cases (68 eyes) of untreated unilateral Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) patients were recruited at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University. Among these cases, 31 were temporal branch vein occlusions, 2 were nasal branch occlusions, and 1 was a superior branch occlusion. Additionally, 39 cases (39 eyes) of gender- and age-matched control eyes were included in the study. Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) was used to measure ST at 6 mm superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal to the limbus, while Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography (EDI-OCT) was used to measure SFCT. The differences in ST and SFCT between the affected eye, contralateral eye, and control eye of BRVO patients were compared and analyzed for correlation. The axial lengths of the BRVO-affected eye, contralateral eye, and control group were (22.92 ± 0.30) mm, (22.89 ± 0.32) mm and (22.90 ± 0.28) mm respectively, with no significant difference in axial length between the affected eye and contralateral eye (P > 0.05). The SFCT and ST measurements in different areas showed significant differences between the BRVO-affected eye, contralateral eye in BRVO patients (P < 0.05). The CRT of BRVO-affected eyes was significantly higher than that of the contralateral eyes and the control eyes (P < 0.001). In comparison between BRVO-affected eyes and control eyes, there were no statistically significant differences in age and axial length between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in SFCT and temporal, nasal, superior, and inferior ST between the two groups (P < 0.05). The difference in temporal ST between the contralateral eyes and the control eyes was not statistically significant (t = - 0.35, P = 0.73). However, the contralateral group showed statistically significant increases in SFCT, nasal, superior and inferior ST compared to control eyes (t = - 3.153, 3.27, 4.21, 4.79, P = 0.002, 0.002, < 0.001, < 0.001). However, the difference between the CRT of the contralateral and control eyes was not statistically significant (P = 0.421). When comparing SFCT and ST between BRVO-affected eyes with and without macular edema, no statistically significant differences were found (t = - 1.10, 0.45, - 1.30, - 0.30, 1.00; P = 0.28, 0.66, 0.21, 0.77, 0.33). The thickness of SFCT and temporal ST in major BRVO group is higher than the macular BRVO group and the difference was statistically significant (t = 6.39, 7.17, P < 0.001 for all). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that in BRVO patients, there was a significant positive correlation between SFCT/CRT and temporal ST (r = 0.288, 0.355, P = 0.049, 0.04). However, there was no correlation between SFCT/CRT and nasal ST, superior ST, and inferior ST (P > 0.05). In BRVO patients, both SFCT/CRT and ST increase, and there is a significant correlation between SFCT/CRT and the ST at the site of vascular occlusion.

Longitudinal choroidal thickness changes among Chinese young adults with various refractive errors.

Purpose: To determine the characteristics of longitudinal choroidal thickness (CT) and axial length (AL) changes in a group of Chinese young adults with various refractive errors. Methods: In this 2 year prospective cohort study, a total of 291 (314 enrolled at baseline) Chinese medical freshmen aged 18 to 22 years (mean age, 18.7 ± 0.9 years) underwent eye examinations at baseline and follow-up visits, including cycloplegic refraction, ocular biometry measurements, and swept-source optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness measurements were performed at nine locations in the macular area. Results: At baseline, the CT and AL was significant differences among groups of emmetropia, mild to moderate myopia and high myopia. During a two-year period, there were significant differences found in the changes of the subfoveal CT (p < 0.001) and parafoveal CT of 7 locations between emmetropia and mild to moderate myopia, and the changes of the subfoveal CT (p = 0.002) and parafoveal CT of 6 locations between emmetropia and high myopia. But there were no differences for AL and SE (p > 0.05). The multivariable linear regression analysis showed that baseline subfoveal CT (per 1 µm) was a significant factor affecting the changes of subfoveal CT (p < 0.001), whereas age, gender, and baseline AL were not significantly associated. Conclusion: The longitudinal change in CT varies with refractive errors in Chinese young adults aged 18 to 22 years over a two-year period. The changes of subfoveal CT were significantly associated with the baseline subfoveal CT, but not associated with baseline AL.

EFEMP1 is a potential biomarker of choroid thickness change in myopia.

Purpose: To explore the possible molecular mechanism by which epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) regulates choroid thickness (CT) in the development of myopia. Methods: In total, 131 subjects were divided into the emmetropia (EM) group, non-high myopia (non-HM) group and high myopia (HM) group. Their age, refraction, intraocular pressure, and other ocular biometric parameters were collected. A 6 × 6 mm area centered on the optic disc was scanned by coherent optical tomography angiography (OCTA) to measure CT, and the tear concentrations of EFEMP1 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Twenty-two guinea pigs were divided into the control group and the form-deprivation myopia (FDM) group. The right eye of the guinea pig in the FDM group was covered for 4 weeks, and the diopter and axial length of the right eye of the guinea pig were measured before and after the treatment. After the measurement, the guinea pig was euthanized, and the eyeball was removed. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting assays and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of EFEMP1 in the choroid. Results: There were significant differences in CT among the three groups (p < 0.001). CT was positively correlated with age in HM (r = -0.3613, p = 0.0021), but no significant correlation with SE (p > 0.05) was observed. Furthermore, there were increased levels of EFEMP1 in the tears of myopic patients. After 4 weeks of covering the right eye of the FDM guinea pigs, there was a significant increase in axial length and a decrease in diopter (p < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of EFEMP1 was significantly increased in the choroid. Conclusion: Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in myopic patients, and the expression level of EFEMP1 in the choroid increased during the development of FDM. Therefore, EFEMP1 may be involved in the regulation of choroidal thickness in myopia patients.

Correlation between blood biochemical parameters and choroidal thickness in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the relationship between blood biochemical parameters and choroidal thickness(CT)in na&#x0026;#xEF;ve-treatment of patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR).METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. A total of 92 patients(92 eyes)with na&#x0026;#xEF;ve-treated NPDR were selected in the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University from July 2021 to July 2022. All of the patients included in this study were subjected to ophthalmologic examination including enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography(EDI-OCT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), fundus fluorescence angiography, intraocular pressure, slit lamp and fundus examination. At the same time, they were also underwent hematological examination including blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c), serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, β2 microglobulin, high density lipoprotein(HDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL), serum calcium, serum potassium and other tests. According to the glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and CT, the patients were divided into normal, mild and moderate to severe renal function group, pachychoroid group and the leptochoroid group. The blood biochemical indexes, CT differences and theirs correlation were analyzed in na&#x0026;#xEF;ve-treated NPDR patients.RESULTS: A total of 92 cases(92 eyes)were included in this study, with 51 males(51 eyes), 41 females(41 eyes), 45 right eyes and 47 left eyes. There was no significant difference in age, axial length and disease duration among the three groups(all P&#x003E;0.05). There were significant differences in nasal 0.5, 1.5mm, subfoveal and temporal 0.5, 1.5mm CT among three groups(all P&#x003C;0.05). There was no statistical significance in age, axial length and the course of disease between the pachychoroid and leptochoroid groups(all P&#x003E;0.05). There were significant differences in creatinine, eGFR, uric acid, urea, potassium and β2-microglobulin between the pachychoroid group and the leptochoroid group(all P&#x003C;0.05). There were no significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, HbA1c, serum calcium and glucose between the two groups(all P&#x003E;0.05). CT was negatively correlated with creatinine, urea, uric acid and β2-microglobulin, and positively correlated with eGFR. Multiple regression analysis showed that the thicker the nasal 0.5mm CT, the higher the eGFR(B=0.292, P&#x003C;0.001). CT affected creatinine, eGFR, urea, uric acid and β2-microglobulin(B=16.5, 64.6, 24.1, 18.1, 20.3; P=0.008, &#x003C;0.001, &#x003C;0.001, 0.004, 0.001), while there were no significant effects on total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, serum calcium, HDL and LDL(all P&#x003E;0.05).CONCLUSION: In patients with na&#x0026;#xEF;ve-treated NPDR, the thicker the CT, the better the renal function. The decrease of CT in newly diagnosed NPDR patients is an important hint to pay attention to the renal function.

Research progress of optical coherence tomography angiography in detecting retinal and choroidal thickness and blood flow in patients with high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

High myopia is a state of refractive error with myopia over -6.00D. High myopia is typically accompanied by multiple fundus lesions, thus making patients with high myopia suffer from varying degrees of impairment in visual function. As an emerging auxiliary way in ophthalmology, optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)can efficiently and non-invasively obtain microvascular stratified images of the retina and choroid and quantitatively analyze blood flow signals. Since the advent of OCTA, there have been numerous studies observing fundus changes in those with high myopia through OCTA. In this paper, some studies in which OCTA is applied to obtain retinal and choroidal thickness from patients with high myopia are reviewed, with a view to revealing the correlation between high myopia and the parameters such as retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, vessel density and the area of the foveal avascular zone and providing novel ideas to deeply investigate the mechanism of high myopia and delay the occurrence and development of high myopia.

Evaluation of eye health in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease.

Background: Pediatric celiac disease (CeD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have well established effects on eye health but comorbid effect is not known. Aim: To evaluate the eye health of children with T1DM and CeD to predict microvascular retinal pathologies by diagnosis of probable intraocular pressure increase which is an important glaucoma trigger. Patients and Methods: In this case-controlled study, 28 eyes of 14 children both T1DM and CeD, with a mean age of 12.6 ± 3.9 years, and 28 eyes of gender-matched 14 healthy children as a control group were included. In both groups, detailed ocular examinations and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), thicknesses of ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroid thicknesses (CT) were done. All the patients with T1DM and CeD were newly diagnosed. The evaluations of IOP and OPA were made using a Pascal dynamic tonometer and thicknesses measured by optical coherence tomography. Results: The IOP and OPA values of the patient group were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (17.1 and 1.86 vs 14.78 and 1.57 mmHg, P <.0001, P <.001, respectively). IOP values of all patients were higher than IOP cut off levels for diagnosis of hypertension. CT was significantly thinner in the patient group than in the control group (385.4 µm vs 331.71 µm, respectively, P < 0.03). No significant difference was found between the groups in respect of GCL, IPL, and RNFL values. Conclusion: The higher IOP and OPA values of the children with T1DM and CeD were considered to be the result of the microvascular pathologies in T1DM and increased inflammation associated with CeD. High IOP and OPA values can lead to damage in the eye as intraocular blood flow and choroidal perfusion are affected. In order to prevent these eye problems, measurement of IOP and OPA should be done in children with diagnosis of T1DM and CeD and also follow up studies needed.

Evaluation of the relationship between HbA1c level and retina choroidal thickness in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus / Avaliação da relação entre o nível de HbA1c e a espessura coroidal da retina em pacientes com diabetes mellitus gestacional

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of hemoglobin A1c level on central macular thickness and central, nasal, and temporal choroidal thickness in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: This retrospective study included 41 patients who had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus and undergone a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. They were divided into two groups based on their hemoglobin A1c level (group 1: hemoglobin A1c <6.0% and group 2: hemoglobin A1c ≥6.0%). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. The central macular thickness and central, nasal, and temporal choroidal thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography. Results: Of the 3,016 pregnant women screened, 7.5% (n=228) were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus during the study period and 41 of these patients were included in the study. Group 1 comprised 48 eyes from 24 patients and Group 2 consisted of 34 eyes of 17 patients. The average body mass index values were 30.8 ± 3.3 and 35.1 ± 9.0, respectively (p=0.002). The insulin use rates were 29.2% and 76.5%, respectively (p=0.000). Mean central macular thickness values were 250.8 ± 14.3 µm and 260.9 ± 18.1 µm, respectively, and the difference was significant (p=0.008). Conclusions: Although the body mass index and central macular thickness values were significantly higher in Group 2, there was no difference in the central, nasal, and temporal choroidal thickness between the two groups.

RESUMO Objetivos: Investigar o efeito do nível de hemoglobina A1c (HbA1c) na espessura macular central e na espessura da coróide central, nasal e temporal em pacientes com diabetes mellitus gestacional. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu 82 olhos de 41 pacientes diagnosticadas com diabetes mellitus gestacional, as quais fizeram um teste de tolerância oral à glicose de 75 g entre 24 e 28 semanas de gestação. As pacientes foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com o nível de hemoglobina A1c (hemoglobina A1c <6,0% e hemoglobina A1c ≥6,0%). Todas as pacientes foram submetidas a exame oftalmológico completo e, a espessura macular central, a espessura central, nasal e temporal da coroide foram mensuradas por tomografia de coerência óptica. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo, das 3.016 gestantes triadas, 7,5% (n=228) foram diagnosticadas com diabetes mellitus gestacional. Destas, 41 pacientes foram analisadas de acordo com os critérios do estudo. Houve 48 olhos de 24 pacientes no primeiro grupo com hemoglobina A1c <6,0% e 34 olhos de 17 pacientes no segundo grupo com hemoglobina A1c ≥6,0%. Os valores médios do índice de massa corporal foram de 30,8 ± 3,3 e 35,1 ± 9,0, respectivamente (p=0,002). As taxas referentes ao uso de insulina foram de 29,2% e 76,5%, respectivamente (p=0,000). Os valores médios da espessura macular central foram medidos em 250,8 ± 14,3 µm e 260,9 ± 18,1 µm, respectivamente e a diferença foi significativa entre os dois grupos (p=0,008). Conclusões: Embora os valores do índice de massa corporal e da espessura macular central tenham sido significativamente maiores no Grupo 2 com hemoglobina A1c alta, não houve diferenças nas medidas de espessura coroidal central, nasal e temporal entre os dois grupos.

Ocular Abnormalities in Patients with Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a skin depigmentation disorder that results from the autoimmune destruction of cutaneous melanocytes. Several ocular abnormalities, including uveitis, dry eye, glaucoma, and retinal diseases, have been reported in patients with vitiligo. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of ocular abnormalities with vitiligo. METHODS: This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021224167) and adhered to MOOSE checklist and PRISMA guidance for all processes. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies examining the association between ocular abnormalities and vitiligo from inception to December 10, 2020. Studies recruiting patients with Sjogren's syndrome or Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome were excluded. The primary outcomes were the Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) of vitiligo patients compared to the controls. The risk of bias of the selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) of case-control studies. RESULTS: This meta-analysis of 16 case-control studies showed that patients with vitiligo had significantly lower Schirmer test values (mean difference [MD], -1.65; 95% CI, -2.81 to -0.49), shorter TBUTs (MD, -4.66; 95% CI, -7.05 to -2.26), higher ocular surface disease indices (MD, 18.02; 95% CI, 5.7-30.35), and thinner subfoveal choroidal thicknesses (MD, -53.10; 95% CI, -69.84 to -36.36). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of glaucoma and the level of intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports an association between dry eye and thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients with vitiligo. Dermatologists should be aware of these possible comorbidities and refer vitiligo patients with ocular symptoms to ophthalmologists for further management.

Examination of Macular Retina and Choroidal Thickness in High Myopic Amblyopia Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the retinal and choroidal thickness between high myopic amblyopia (HMA), low myopia (LM), moderate myopia (MM), high myopia (HM), and normal group (NG) using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 75 Chinese children (128 eyes; mean age 10.5 years) were recruited. Retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal thickness (CT) were measured at different locations including subfoveal (SF), and at 0.5 mm/1.0 mm/1.5 mm/2.0 mm/2.5 mm/3.0 mm to the fovea in superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal sectors using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) system of SD-OCT. Axial length (AL), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refraction errors were also collected. Results: No significant differences were found in subfoveal retinal thickness (SFRT). Moreover, a significantly thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was found in HMA compared to NG, LM, and MM, but not compared to HM. RT at 0.5 mm to fovea, HMA was significantly thinner compared to LM and MM in the three sectors (superior, inferior, and temporal). Nevertheless, no significant differences were found compared to NG and HM. CT at 0.5 mm to fovea, HMA was the significantly thinnest in all four sectors compared to NG, LM, and MM. RT at 1.0 mm/1.5 mm/2.0 mm/2.5 mm/3.0 mm to fovea, HMA was thinner compared to NG, LM, and MM. CT at 1.0 mm/1.5 mm/2.0 mm/2.5 mm/3.0 mm to fovea, HMA was thinner compared to NG, LM, and MM. At the superior and inferior sectors, HMA showed to be statistically thinner compared with HM. Moreover, SFCT in the HMA, HM, and NG were negatively correlated with AL. Conclusions: Thinner retina and choroidal tissue appear to be related to HMA, and thus can be used as useful parameters for discovering the underlying mechanisms of the disease.

New research progress on changes of choroidal structure and blood flow in high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Myopia is the most common ametropia. High myopia, especially pathological high myopia, is often accompanied by a series of fundus pathological changes, such as Fuchs spot and choroidal neovascularization(CNV), etc, which can lead to serious damage of visual function. In recent years, it has been found that the changes of choroidal thickness and blood flow play a considerable role in the progression of high myopia. The change of choroidal thickness can directly reflect the abnormality of its structure and function. The choroidal thickness in high myopia is significantly thinner than that in normal people, and the thinning degree varies in different regions. At the same time, the choroid is the main source of blood supply to the eyes, and its blood flow directly determines whether the blood supply is sufficient to the eyes. Therefore, observing the changes of choroidal thickness and blood flow in high myopia is of great significance to explore the progress of myopia or observe its pathological changes. This review illustrates the choroidal structure, thickness and choroidal blood flow changes of high myopia. At the same time, it analyzes and discusses the new research progress and main existing problems in recent years, the new challenges and future research directions, hoping to provide help for clinical monitoring of the occurrence and progression in high myopia.

High Myopia and the Complement System: Factor H in Myopic Maculopathy.

High myopia (HM) is both a medical problem and refractive error of the eye owing to excessive eyeball length, which progressively makes eye tissue atrophic, and is one of the main causes for diminishing visual acuity in developed countries. Despite its high prevalence and many genetic and proteomic studies, no molecular pattern exists that explain the degenerative process underlying HM, which predisposes patients to other diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and chorioretinal atrophy that affect the macular area. To determine the relation between complement Factors H (CFH) and D (CFD) and the maculopathy of patients with degenerative myopia, we studied aqueous humor samples that were collected by aspiration from 122 patients during cataract surgery. Eyes were classified according to eyeball axial length as high myopia (axial length > 26 mm), low myopia (axial length 23.5-25.9 mm) and control (axial length ˂ 23.4 mm). The degree of maculopathy was classified according to fundus oculi findings following IMI's classification. Subfoveal choroid thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. CFH and CFD measurements were taken by ELISA. CFH levels were significantly high in the high myopia group vs. the low myopia and control groups (p ˂ 0.05). Significantly high CFH values were found in those eyes with choroid atrophy and neovascularization (p ˂ 0.05). In parallel, the CFH concentration correlated inversely with choroid thickness (R = -0.624). CFD levels did not correlate with maculopathy. All the obtained data seem to suggest that CFH plays a key role in myopic pathology.

Infliximab therapy provides beneficial effects for choroidal thickness increase in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis: A possible mechanism mediating the suppressing of uveitis attacks.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to quantitatively assess the profile of the choroidal thickness (ChT) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to examine whether the posterior eye segment abnormalities in active AS patients are reversible by infliximab therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: October 2014 and March 2016 Thirty-one patients with AS (22 males, 9 females; mean age 39.6±12.3 years; range, 22 to 68 years) and 24 healthy controls (16 males, 8 females; mean age 40.8±8.9 years; range, 35 to 61 years) were enrolled. Patients' clinical and demographic characteristics were recorded. Using OCT, we performed retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, ganglion cell complex, and ChT measurements in AS patients before and six months after the initiation of infliximab therapy, and in healthy controls. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with AS had higher ChT (mean±standard deviation: 347.5±114.4 µm) compared to healthy controls (322.1±62.8 µm), although this did not reach statistical significance level (p=0.283). At six months after the first measurement, the mean ChT was significantly decreased (under infliximab therapy: 326.5±99.7 µm vs. before: 347.5±114.4 µm, p=0.018) in AS group, while no significant change was observed in the control group (p=0.102). RNFL thickness in the AS group was significantly decreased after six months of treatment with infliximab (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: By evaluating the posterior eye segment of patients with AS using OCT, this study has demonstrated that active AS patients had higher ChT. The significant reduction in this ChT after infliximab therapy may be mediating the established effective suppressing action of infliximab on uveitis attacks.

Evaluation of macular, retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal thickness by optical coherence tomography in children and adolescents with vitamin B12 deficiency.

PURPOSE: To investigate macular, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) and choroidal thickness in children and adolescents with vitamin B12 deficiency and no neurological examination finding. METHODS: The study group includes of thirty-three children aged 8-17 years who were brought to the Pediatric outpatient clinic with the symptoms of fatigue and forgetfulness and whose Vitamin B12 levels were detected < 200 pg/ml. The control group was the 30 children and adolescents applied to the same policlinic with various symptoms and whose Vitamin B12 levels were found normal. Children and adolescents with chronic systemic/ocular disease history and myopia or hyperopia more than 4 diopters were not included in both groups. Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) was used for measurements. RESULTS: Mean Macular thickness value was 261.2 ± 17.6 in the Vitamin B12 deficiency group and 267.7 ± 17.4 in the control group. Mean value of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness was 103.5 ± 7.5 in the Vitamin B12 deficiency group and 104.3 ± 8.9 in the control group. The mean values of Choroidal thickness were 360.1 ± 59.8 and 316.9 ± 95.4 in Vitamin B12 deficiency and control groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant increase in choroidal thickness in Vitamin B12 deficiency group compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant increase in the Choroidal thicknesses of children and adolescents with Vitamin B12 deficiency is important in terms of shedding light on studies that will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between vitamin B12 and inflammation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is an observational study.

Assessment of the retinal and choroidal microvascularization in polycystic ovary syndrome: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: To examine the retinal, peripapillary, choroidal microvascularization and the choroid thickness (CT) of the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and compare the results to measurements obtained from healthy controls. METHODS: In total, 47 eyes of 47 patients recently diagnosed with PCOS and 47 eyes of 47 age-matched healthy women were included in this study. An RT XR Avanti instrument with AngioVue software was used for the OCT-A imaging using 6 × 6 mm macular and 4.5 × 4.5 mm optic nerve head scans. Quantitative vessel density results of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC); flow area and flow density of choriocapillaris; and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were analyzed. CT was evaluated by using the measurements obtained from the subfoveolar area. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between the groups for any of vessel density results for the SCP, DCP, and RPC as well as the FAZ area. The difference in the choriocapillaris flow area and flow density between the groups was not statistically significant. The choroid was significantly thicker in women with PCOS than in the healthy group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Retinal and choroidal microvascularization was comparable between the women who were evaluated early after diagnosed with PCOS and age-matched healthy controls. Choroid was found thicker in patients with PCOS than in healthy women. OCT-A, as a new and noninvasive imaging method, may help in understanding the effect of PCOS on the posterior segment of the eye.

The Evaluation of the Relation Between Iris and Choroidal Thickness.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between iris thickness (IT) and choroidal thickness (CT) in healthy subjects.Materials and Methods: Forty-five healthy participants (24 women, 21 men) aged 18-62 years were included in the study. The iris thickness was measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The iris thickness was measured at 750 µm (IT750T) and 2000 µm (IT2000T) from the temporal scleral spur. The iris thickness was measured at 750 µm (IT750N) and 2000 µm (IT2000N) from the nasal scleral spur. Choroidal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. Choroid thickness was measured at 750 µm (CT750N, CT750T) and 2000 µm (CT2000N, CT2000T) from the center of the fovea on both the nasal and temporal sides.Results: There were significant correlations between CT750T and IT750T, IT750N, IT2000N (r = 0.409, p=0.005; r = 0.396, p=0.007; r = 0.329, p=0.02, respectively). There were significant correlations between CT2000T and IT750T, IT750N, IT2000N (r = 0.383, p=0.009; r = 0.478, p=0.001; r = 0.331, p0=0.02, respectively).Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between CT and IT thicknesses at different points.

Change and Recovery of Choroid Thickness after Short-term Application of 1% Atropine Gel and Its Influencing Factors in 6-7-year-old Children.

PURPOSE: To investigate the change and recovery of choroid thickness after short-term application of 1% atropine gel and its influencing factors in 6-7-year-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 71 right eyes of 71 children were enrolled and divided into myopia and control group. 1% atropine gel was administered twice a day for one week and then stopped. Spherical equivalent (SE), accommodative amplitude (AA), keratometry (K), axial length (AL), and choroidal thickness (CT) were obtained at baseline and 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks. CT was measured at subfovea and 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior from the fovea using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: In both groups, all CTs increased following the change in SE, AA, and AL after administration of 1% atropine for one week. They gradually recovered to baseline levels seven weeks after withdrawal. The change (Δ) in CT at 3 mm superior from the fovea was significantly higher in the myopia group than in the control group. In both groups, ΔCT at subfovea had no significant correlation with SE, AA, and AL, both at baseline and one week. However, ΔCT at subfovea was negatively correlated with ΔAL in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: One-week application of 1% atropine gel may increase CT in 6-7-year-old Chinese children. Meanwhile, the recovery process after withdrawal lasts seven weeks. During the recovery process, the changes in structural parameters (AL, CT) and functional parameters (AA, SE) in both groups occurred synchronously. The SE, AA, and AL at baseline may not predict the extent of atropine's effect on CT.

Research progress of choroidal thickness in rheumatic immune diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Rheumatic immune disease, as a group of recurrent systemic diseases, involves the vascular system through inflammatory factors. Eye reaction can be used as a sign of rheumatic immune reactivation or disease aggravation, together with the first systemic manifestation of rheumatic immune disease. As a part of the most abundant blood flow in the eyes, choroid is an excellent evaluation index for ocular involvement, and it is greatly affected by systemic vascular diseases. And optical coherence tomography provides a scientific and accurate measuring tool for the observation of choroid thickness. However, whether changes in choroid thickness can be utilized as markers of disease activity, and progression, our results require further research. In this paper, the changes of choroid thickness in rheumatic immune diseases are analyzed.

Correlation analysis of foveal choroidal thickness, age and course of disease in patients with diabetic retinopathy of different stages / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To use spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)to measure macular subfoveal choroid thickness(SFCT)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), observe the changes of SFCT, and to explore the relationship between SFCT and diabetes mellitus and diabetes retinopathy.<p>METHODS: A total of 152 patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)were collected and grouped according to their fundus conditions. There were 72 cases in the NDR group and 80 cases in the DR group. Eighty-five healthy subjects were used as the control group. Follow-up according to the clinical stage of DR, where the DR components were mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and PDR. According to the United Nations World Health Organization, the age group was divided into three age groups: 18-44 years old(youth group), 45-59 years old(middle-aged group), and 60-75 years old(old group). Analyzed and compared the SFCT between each group.<p>RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference in SFCT between the T2DM group and the control group(<i>P</i>>0.05). The SFCT of the all group was not significantly correlated with age and course of disease(<i>P</i>>0.05); the SFCT of the control group was negatively correlated with age(<i>P</i><0.05), and the SFCT of the elderly group was thinner than that of the middle-aged group and the young group(<i>P</i><0.05). There was no significant difference between young and middle-aged(<i>P</i>>0.05). The SFCT of the T2DM group was thinner than the control group(<i>P</i><0.001), and the SFCT of the NDR group and the DR group were thinner than the control group(<i>P</i><0.001); the difference in SFCT between DR staging was statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.001).<p>CONCLUSION: Age is a related factor that affects SFCT. Diabetic SFCT becomes thinner than normal people, and SFCT thickens with the severity of DR lesions.

Effects of vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without internal limiting membrane peeling on choroid thickness, vision and metamorphopsia in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the effects of vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling on choroid thickness, vision and metamorphopsia in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM).<p>METHODS: Totally 88 patients(88 eyes)with IMEM admitted to the hospital were selected between January 2016 and January 2020. They were divided into group A and group B by random number table method with 44 eyes in each group. Patients in group A were treated with vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with ILM peeling, while patients in group B were treated with vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection. The choroid thickness, vision, metamorphopsia, central macular thickness(CMT), ellipsoid zone(EZ)continuity were compared between the two groups.<p>RESULTS: Compared with preoperative, the sub-foveal choroidal thickness(SFCT), choroidal thickness 1 000μm from nasal side central of fovea(NFCT)and choroidal thickness 1 000μm from temporal side central of fovea(TFCT)were significantly reduced in the two groups at 3mo and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.5). Compared with preoperative, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)LogMAR was reduced, while mean sensitivity(MS)was increased in the two groups. The number of scotoma points(SP)increased in group A and decreased in group B. Group A had significantly lower MS and higher SP than group B at 1mo, 3mo, and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). Compared with preoperative, the M scores(Angle of view when horizontal and vertical variability begins to disappear)and average M scores of the two groups were significantly reduced at 3mo and 6mo after operation, without statistically significant differences between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). Compared with preoperative, CMT was significantly reduced in the two groups at 1, 3 and 6mo after operation. The ratio of EZ continuity in group A at 1mo after operation was significantly lower than that before operation. The CMT of group A was larger than that of group B at 3mo and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the ratio of EZ continuity and the incidence of complications between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without ILM peeling both can improve vision and metamorphopsia in patients with IMEM, with similar effects on choroid thickness and safety. However, combined use of ILM peeling will lower MS and increase SP as well as CMT. Therefore, it has no significant advantages in the treatment of patients with IMEM.