Evaluation of choroidal thickness in ankylosing spondylitis using optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine.
• Ocular manifestations in AS are common, but posterior segment (PS) involvement requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate posterior segment (PS) findings in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• To specifically evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) in AS patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Main Methods:

• Eighty-four AS patients and 63 healthy controls underwent PS evaluations using OCT.
• Key parameters measured included foveal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, macular volume, ganglion cell complex, and choroidal thickness (CT).

Main Results:

• Mean CT was significantly higher in AS patients (326.5 ± 71.5 µm) compared to healthy controls (286.2 ± 59.5 µm) (p=0.001).
• No significant differences were observed in other OCT parameters between the groups.
• No significant correlation was found between CT, AS activity index, or disease duration.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to report elevated choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• Increased CT may represent a novel ocular finding associated with AS.