Purpose:
To evaluate choroidal thickness in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after anti-VEGF therapy using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods:
Seven eyes from seven patients with exudative AMD evaluated between June 2010 and September 2011 at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Choroidal thickness was measured before and one month after three monthly intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF. Images were obtained using Spectralis OCT’s linear measurement tools, 2 independent observers measured the choroidal thickness perpendicularly from the edge of Bruch membrane to the inner sclera. Measurements were taken subfoveally, 750μm temporal and nasal to the fovea. Normal subfoveal choroidal thickness of 287±76μm in patients with a mean age of 50.4 years has been reported in the literature, an age-adjusted value was used for comparison because of an approximate 1.56μm decline in choroidal thickness per year of life. Pre- and post-injection data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results:
The study group included 6 males and 1 female, with an average age of 68 years. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (169.14μm ± 58.50) in this study was thinner than normal patients. The age-adjusted normal subfoveal choroidal thickness was 259,5μm. The mean subfoveal and temporal choroidal thickness had a statistical significance change, decreasing from 169.14μm ± 58.50 at baseline to 161.14 ± 56.15 (p= 0.0218) and from 169.85 ± 59.64 to 163.14 ± 63.81 (p=0.018) respectively. Nasal choroidal thickness decreased from 160.571 ± 61.41 to 147.43 ± 57.17 with no statistical significance (p=0.0910).
Conclusions:
The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness in AMD patients is thinner than normal patients. Our study showed significant decreased in subfoveal and temporal choroidal thickness after three intravitreal injections performed monthly.
Clinical Trial:
http://www.unifesp.br/reitoria/orgaos/comites/etica/, 0345/10
Keywords: choroid • age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization