Peripapillary choroidal thickness assessed using automated choroidal segmentation software in an Asian population

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Choroidal Imaging

Background:

• Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) is a key indicator in ocular health.
• Accurate measurement of PPCT is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various eye conditions.
• Previous methods for PPCT measurement had limitations in objectivity and automation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively quantify peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) in Asian eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI).
• To evaluate systemic and ocular determinants influencing PPCT measurements.
• To validate a novel automated choroidal segmentation software for reliable PPCT assessment.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 520 subjects (1040 eyes) from the population-based Singapore Malay Eye Study.
• Utilized Spectralis SD-OCT with EDI for peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) measurements.
• Employed a novel automated choroidal segmentation software for precise PPCT quantification.

Main Results:

• The automated software demonstrated excellent intra-session repeatability for PPCT measurements (ICC 0.9998-0.9999).
• The overall mean PPCT was 136.2±56.8 µm, with significant geographical variations across quadrants.
• Shorter axial length, younger age, lower triglyceride levels, and presence of diabetes were independently associated with thicker PPCT.

Conclusions:

• Novel automated choroidal segmentation software provides reliable objective PPCT measurements in a population-based setting.
• Key determinants of thicker PPCT include shorter axial length, younger age, lower triglyceride levels, and diabetes.
• These identified factors are important for interpreting Spectralis EDI SD-OCT-based PPCT measurements in clinical practice.