CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CHOROIDAL STRUCTURES AND VISUAL FUNCTIONS IN EYES WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Choroidal Research

Background:

• Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal diseases.
• Understanding structural changes in RP is crucial for disease management.
• Choroidal alterations may play a role in RP pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate choroidal structures using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in eyes with RP.
• To determine correlations between choroidal structures and visual functions in RP patients.

Main Methods:

• EDI-OCT images from 100 eyes with RP and 60 normal controls were analyzed.
• Binarization and measurement of inner and outer subfoveal choroidal luminal and stromal areas.
• Correlation analysis adjusted for age, sex, and axial length.

Main Results:

• Eyes with RP showed significantly smaller inner choroidal luminal area and luminal/total choroidal area (L/C ratio) compared to controls.
• No significant difference in inner choroidal stromal area was observed between RP and control groups.
• The inner choroidal L/C ratio strongly correlated with best-corrected visual acuity, visual field parameters, ellipsoid zone width, and central foveal thickness in RP.

Conclusions:

• Choroidal structures, particularly the inner choroid, are significantly altered in retinitis pigmentosa.
• These structural changes are closely associated with visual function and retinal integrity in RP.
• The findings suggest that choroidal alterations are linked to the progression of retinitis pigmentosa.