Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate macular choroidal thickness in patients affected by retinal vein vascular occlusion of recent presentation.
Methods:
This observational case control study included 40 eyes of 20 consecutive patients affected by Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) of recent presentation (less than 3 months). Patients has been divided in three groups according to the type of occlusion for a statistical subanalysis (Central, Emiretinal or Branch retinal vein occlusion). The evaluation has been performed with Spectral Domain OCT (OTI, Toronto, Canada) evaluating macular retinal and choroidal thickness. Choroidal thickness was measured by means of a manual caliper in three different points: subfoveal, 3 mm nasal to the fovea and 3 mm temporal to the fovea. Measurements were performed in the affected eye and in the fellow eye as control. Clinical systemic parameters has been considered as vascular risk factors.
Results:
The measurement of choroidal thickness in eyes affected by RVO showed a mean value (mean ± standard deviation) of 316,92±71,92 µm at the subfoveal point, 280,76±64,73µm at 3 mm nasal to fovea and 320±85,14 µm at 3 mm temporal to fovea. In the control eyes SD OCT evaluation showed a mean choroidal thickness of 258,88±40,75 µm at the subfoveal point, 220± 33,91 µm at 3 mm nasal to fovea and 250 ± 52,44 µm at 3 mm temporal to fovea. Differences between all affected eyes and control eyes were statistically significant in all measurements. No significative differences were showed between pathology groups.
Conclusions:
Our study shows significant macular choroidal thickness increase in patients with RVO, compared to control eyes. This observation could be explained to the collateral vein circulation in the early phases to drain blood deflux, as showed in different angiography studies. At the same time, the inflammatory component related to vascular occlusion could have a important influence on vein choroidal vascular dilatation, as in showed in uveitis. Our preliminary results represents a first step for a more complete evaluation of pathological aspects of RVO and to comprehend the rational effect of different therapies, from medical to surgical approaches.
Keywords: 585 macula/fovea •
552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) •
749 vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease