Factors Affecting Choroidal Vascular Density in Normal Eyes: Quantification Using En Face Swept-Source Optical...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• The choroid's vascular network is crucial for ocular health.
• Understanding choroidal vascular density changes with aging is important for diagnosing eye conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify choroidal vascular density in normal eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS OCT).
• To identify factors influencing choroidal vascular density, including age, sex, refractive error, axial length, and subfoveal choroidal thickness.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 163 healthy volunteers.
• En face SS OCT imaging was used for quantitative assessment of vascular density in the large choroid vessel layer.
• Statistical analyses investigated relationships between vascular density and demographic/ocular parameters.

Main Results:

• Choroidal vascular density showed a significant negative correlation with subject age (P < .001), especially in individuals over 30.
• Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) exhibited a significant positive relationship with choroidal vascular density (P < .001).
• No significant correlations were found between choroidal vascular density and sex, refractive error, or axial length.

Conclusions:

• Age and subfoveal choroidal thickness are significant determinants of choroidal vascular density in healthy eyes.
• These findings provide insights into normal aging of the choroidal vasculature.