Choroidal mapping; a novel approach for evaluating choroidal thickness and volume

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• The choroid, crucial for retinal health, is affected by various disorders like polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and tumors.
• Non-invasive imaging of the choroid has been limited, hindering diagnosis and monitoring of related conditions.
• Standard imaging techniques often struggle to provide detailed choroidal structural information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) for choroidal imaging.
• To introduce choroidal mapping as a novel technique for assessing choroidal topography and volume.
• To evaluate the application of these methods in both normal and diseased states of the choroid.

Main Methods:

• Utilized enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) with standard spectral-domain OCT machines.
• Developed and applied choroidal mapping for topographic and volumetric analysis.
• Examined choroidal structures in vivo for both healthy subjects and patients with specific conditions.

Main Results:

• EDI-OCT provides in vivo cross-sectional imaging of the choroid, comparable to retinal imaging.
• Choroidal mapping enables accurate measurement of choroidal topographic and volumetric parameters.
• The technique is applicable for assessing choroidal changes in various retinal disorders and primary choroidal diseases.

Conclusions:

• EDI-OCT is a valuable non-invasive tool for choroidal visualization.
• Choroidal mapping represents a significant advancement for quantitative choroidal analysis.
• These imaging advancements aid in understanding and managing choroidal pathologies.