Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.57(8) > 1010361

Song, Kim, Choi, and Park: Changes in Choroidal Thickness in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the choroidal thickness of a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) lesion and that of other areas in the eyes.

Methods

Patients who visited the Ophthalmologic Clinic of Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital for BRVO between March 2015 and October 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. We performed basic ophthalmologic exam and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in 48 eyes of 24 patients with BRVO. The choroidal thickness was compared in a total of 4 places, the branch retinal vein occlusion lesion, the symmetric site in the same eye, and the equivalent sites in the fellow eye by paired t-test. All measurements were performed by 2 independent observers.

Results

Choroidal thickness had strong interobserver correlation. Choroidal thickness of the BRVO lesion was significantly thicker than that in the symmetric site of same eye, the equivalent site of lesion, and the equivalent site of the symmetric site to lesion in the fellow eye.

Conclusions

Choroidal thickness in acute BRVO lesions was thicker than choroidal thickness in other areas of the eyes. It is thought that both hydrostatic pressure and the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor influence choroidal thickness in the acute phase of BRVO.

References

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Figure 1.
Method of measuring the choroidal thickness. Cross sectional image centered in macula (blue circle) was taken in the enhanced depth imaging mode with suprerior branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in left eye. Black arrow points the lesion in BRVO. White arrow points the symmetrical site to lesion in BRVO. Black arrowhead points the equivalent site to lesion in fellow eye, and white arrowhead points the equivalent site of symmetrical site to lesion in fellow eye. Choroidal thickness was measured in 3 points (red circles) of each site. And the average choroidal thickness was calculated.
jkos-57-1222f1.tif
Figure 2.
Method of measuring the choroidal thickness. Cross sectional image centered in macula taken in the enhanced depth imaging mode with suprerior branch retinal vein occlusion in left eye. White arrowheads point the choroid-scleral junction.
jkos-57-1222f2.tif
Figure 3.
Comparison of choroidal thickness. Lesion in branch retinal vein occlusion was significantly thicker than others. All p-value by paired t-test.
jkos-57-1222f3.tif
Table 1.
Characteristics of retinal vein occlusion patients
Characteristics Subjects (n = 24)
Mean age (years, range) 60.95 ± 11.53 (43–79)
Sex (M:F) 11:13
Duration from onset (months) 0.74 ± 0.36
Laterality (right:left) 12:12
Location (n, %)  
 Superotemporal 15 (62)
 Inferotemporal 9 (38)
Hypertension 9 (38)

Values are presented as mean ± SD or n (%) unless otherwise indicated.

Table 2.
Mean choroidal thickness and interobserver correlation of measurements
Location Mean choroidal thickness (μ m) Inter-observer correlation (r) p-value*
Lesion in branch retinal vein occlusion 262 0.94 <0.001
Symmetric site to lesion in branch retinal vein occlusion 204 0.88 <0.001
Equivalent site of lesion in fellow eye 195 0.92 <0.001
Equivalent site of symmetric site to lesion in fellow eye 204 0.91 <0.001

* Paired t-test.

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