Analysis of Choroidal Vascularity Index in Keratoconus Patients Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography-Based...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Corneal Diseases

Background:

• Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal ectasia affecting visual acuity.
• Choroidal vascularity plays a role in ocular health and disease.
• Understanding choroidal changes in KC is crucial for comprehensive eye care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare choroidal vascular density in keratoconus patients versus healthy controls.
• To investigate the relationship between age and choroidal vascularity in keratoconus.
• To utilize swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for detailed choroidal analysis.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 52 keratoconus patients (97 eyes) and 89 healthy controls (145 eyes).
• Inclusion criteria: Topographic KC diagnosis, axial length < 26mm, good image quality, no comorbidities.
• SS-OCT b-scans analyzed choroidal, stromal, and vascular areas using automated segmentation.

Main Results:

• Keratoconus patients showed significantly higher choroidal vascularity (56.6%) than controls (49.4%) (p < 0.001).
• Increased choroidal, stromal, and vascular areas were observed in KC patients.
• All measured parameters demonstrated a decreasing trend with increasing age.

Conclusions:

• Keratoconus is associated with statistically significant increases in choroidal vascularity, stromal area, and vascular area.
• These vascular and stromal changes in the choroid are more pronounced in younger KC patients and decrease with age.
• Findings suggest potential alterations in choroidal hemodynamics in keratoconus patients.