Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
Choroidal vascularity index: an enhanced depth optical coherence tomography-based parameter to determine vascular
Buğra Karasu1, Ali Rıza Cenk Celebi2
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Sciences, Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Bereketzade Mah, Bereketzade Sok. No:2, 34421, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey. bugra_karasu@hotmail.com.
Key Messages:
The pathogenesis of subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) due to macular telengiectasia (MacTel 2) has not fully elucidated. This optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based method can provide better understanding of the pathogenesis of SRNV due to MacTel 2.
Purpose:
To evaluate the choroidal vascular index (CVI) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) on eyes with proliferative macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2) or non-proliferative MacTel 2, and in healthy individuals.
Methods:
Macular enhanced depth imaging OCT scans on 42 eyes of 21 patients with non-proliferative MacTel 2, on 32 eyes of 20 patients with proliferative MacTel 2, and on 38 eyes of 32 control patients were analyzed by adjusting for age-gender-axial length. Proliferative MacTel 2 was diagnosed when subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) was simultaneously observed in the non-proliferative phase. Binarization methods of ImageJ software were used to analyze images, and total choroid area (TCA), luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) were obtained. CVI was characterized as the ratio of LA to TCA.
Results:
The mean TCA and SA were significantly higher in group 1 and group 2 when compared with group 3 (3.36 ± 0.29 mm2 vs. 3.27 ± 0.76 mm2 vs. 2.49 ± 0.24 mm2, p < 0.001; 1.15 ± 0.31 mm2 vs. 1.10 ± 0.69 mm2 vs. 0.35 ± 0.23 mm2, respectively; p < 0.001). Although LA was relatively higher in group 1 and group 2 than group 3, no statistically significant difference was observed (2.22 ± 0.14 mm2 vs. 2.17 ± 0.15 mm2 vs. 2.13 ± 0.21 mm2) (p = 0.088). CVI was significantly lower in group 1 than other groups (0.65 ± 0.01 vs 0.67 ± 0.02 vs 0.68 ± 0.02) (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
As an OCT screening method, CVI may be used to assess the vascular status of the choroid on the eyes which are naive for or were exposed to SRNV secondary to MacTel 2, and to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease.
