Abstract
Purpose :
To measure choroidal, Haller’s and Sattler’s layer thickness in emmetropic, moderately myopic and highly myopic subjects using a 3-dimensional spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to determine whether these sublayer thicknesses account for choroidal thickness alterations previously reported in myopic eyes.
Methods :
A 3-dimensional SD-OCT system that operates at a wavelength of 1060 nm was used for imaging. Retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, and Haller’s and Sattler’s layer thickness were determined automatically and analysed in 9 sections according to the “early treatment diabetic retinopathy study” (ETDRS) in the left eye of 15 emmetropic (spherical equivalent-SE: -0.75 to +0.75D; group A), 15 moderately myopic (SE: -6.00 to -2.50D; group B) and 15 highly myopic subjects (SE: ≤ -6.25D; group C).
Results :
Central subfield (CSF) retinal thickness was 288 ± 18µm, 296 ± 14 µm and 296 ± 7µm in group A, B and C, respectively (p=0.33, ANOVA). CSF choroidal thickness was 322 ± 59 µm, 275 ± 70µm and 255 ± 39 µm (p=0.04, ANOVA) in group A, B and C, respectively. Haller’s layer CSF thickness was 121 ± 20µm, 104 ± 31µm and 92 ± 19 µm (p=0.03, ANOVA). Sattler’s layer CSF thickness was 94 ± 56µm, 55 ± 43µm and 48 ± 26 µm (p=0.05, ANOVA) in group A, B and C. There is a negative correlation of axial eye length with Haller’s layer thickness (β1=-14.9, r^2= -0.69, p= 0.00) and with Sattler’s layer thickness (β1=25.4, r^2= -0.61, p=0.00).
Conclusions :
Increasing axial eye length is related to Sattler’s layer and Haller’s layer thickness. It may be that Sattler’s small vessels that are closer to the retinal pigment epithelium are more prone to damage than Haller’s larger vessels. Thinning may play a role in the generation of myopic choroidal pathology similar to choriocapillaris loss in myopic eyes.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.