Choroidal thickness changes after dynamic exercise as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Exercise Physiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Choroidal thickness (CT) is a key indicator of ocular health.
• Understanding the impact of physiological changes, like exercise, on ocular structures is crucial.
• Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) provides high-resolution imaging of the choroid.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the changes in choroidal thickness (CT) following a bout of dynamic exercise.
• To investigate the duration of these CT changes post-exercise.

Main Methods:

• 19 healthy participants underwent 10 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling exercise.
• Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) at baseline, 5 minutes, and 15 minutes post-exercise.
• Measurements were taken at the fovea and in four surrounding regions; retinal thickness, intraocular pressure, and blood pressure were also monitored.

Main Results:

• Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and mean blood pressure (mBP) significantly increased post-exercise.
• Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) increased from 344.00 ± 64.71 μm at baseline to 370.63 ± 66.87 μm at 5 minutes post-exercise (P < 0.001).
• CT returned to near baseline levels by 15 minutes post-exercise, with no significant difference (P > 0.05), and retinal thickness remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic exercise induces a significant, albeit transient, increase in choroidal thickness (CT).
• The choroidal thickening effect of moderate exercise persists for at least 5 minutes post-exercise.
• EDI-OCT is effective in detecting exercise-induced changes in choroidal morphology.