What ocular and systemic variables affect choroidal circulation in healthy eyes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Choroidal blood flow is crucial for retinal health.
• Understanding factors influencing choroidal circulation is vital for diagnosing and managing ocular diseases.
• Previous research has explored correlations between choroidal blood flow and various physiological parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between choroidal blood flow and systemic and ocular variables in healthy individuals.
• To identify key factors influencing choroidal blood flow and luminal area in a healthy population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cross-sectional study of 241 healthy Japanese subjects.
• Choroidal blood flow measured using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) to determine mean blur rate (MBR).
• Choroidal, luminal, and stromal areas quantified using binarization methods.
• Correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses performed.

Main Results:

• Choroidal mean blur rate (MBR) negatively correlated with age (r = -0.385) and positively with choroidal thickness (r = 0.264).
• Luminal area showed positive correlations with MBR (r = 0.403) and choroidal thickness (r = 0.435), and negative correlations with age (r = -0.244) and axial length (r = -0.218).
• Independent predictors of MBR included age, luminal area, heart rate, and mean ocular perfusion pressure.
• Independent predictors of luminal area included axial length, choroidal MBR, age, gender, and mean ocular perfusion pressure.

Conclusions:

• Choroidal blood flow positively correlates with luminal area and negatively with age.
• Aging is associated with reduced choroidal blood flow and luminal area.
• These findings suggest that age-related decline in choroidal blood flow is linked to a decrease in luminal area.