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Morphologic features of large choroidal vessel layer: age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and central serous chorioretinopathy

  • Retinal Disorders
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Abstract

Purpose

To compare choroidal vascular characteristics of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by qualitative and quantitative analyses using swept-source en face optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images.

Methods

Eyes with non-neovascular AMD (n = 32), neovascular AMD (n = 30), thick and thin choroid PCV (n = 33 and 27), and CSC (n = 34) were enrolled. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and the presence and patterns of pachyvessels were assessed. En face images of the large choroidal vessel layer were converted to binary images for the analysis of vascular density.

Results

Pachyvessels were identified in 8 (25%), 14 (46%), 28 (85%), 26 (96%), and 34 (100%) non-neovascular AMD, neovascular AMD, thin choroid PCV, thick choroid PCV, and CSC eyes, respectively (P < 0.001). The pattern of pachyvessels was focal in non-neovascular AMD (100%), neovascular AMD (79%), and thin choroid PCV (89%) while the pattern was mostly diffuse in CSC (88%) and thick choroid PCV (81%). The mean choroidal vascular density in a 6 × 6 mm2 macular area of each group was 45.3%, 46.9%, 47.0%, 52.5%, and 54.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed significantly higher vascular density in CSC compared with other types (all P < 0.001) except PCV with thick choroid (P = 0.066).

Conclusions

Similarities in vascular density of the large choroidal vessel layer and pachyvessel pattern were between CSC and thick choroid PCV and between AMD and thin choroid PCV, suggesting common pathophysiology involving choroidal changes in these eyes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Republic of Korea

    Jiwon Baek

  2. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, #222 Banpodae-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea

    Jae Hyung Lee, Byung Joo Jung, Lee Kook & Won Ki Lee

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Correspondence to Won Ki Lee.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Conflict of interest

Won Ki Lee has served on advisory boards for Novartis Bayer, Allergan, Alcon, and Santen and has received consultancy fees from these companies. He has received payments for lectures from Novartis, Bayer, Allergan, and Alcon. Jiwon Baek, Jae Hyung Lee, Byung Joo Jung, and Kook Lee have no financial disclosure to report.

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Baek, J., Lee, J.H., Jung, B.J. et al. Morphologic features of large choroidal vessel layer: age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and central serous chorioretinopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 256, 2309–2317 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-4143-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-4143-1

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