Choroidal vascularity index in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Biology
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) are common causes of secondary glaucoma.
• Choroidal vascular changes are implicated in the pathogenesis of various ocular diseases.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable tool for in vivo imaging of ocular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify choroidal vascular involvement in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI).
• To assess the utility of CVI derived from OCT images in evaluating vascular changes in PEX and PEXG.
• To compare CVI between healthy eyes, eyes with PEX, and eyes with PEXG.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-eight eyes from 40 subjects were analyzed, categorized into healthy controls (n=20), PEX (n=16), and PEXG (n=42).
• OCT imaging was performed on macular and peripapillary regions.
• Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated using ImageJ software, alongside retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analysis.

Main Results:

• Mean CVI was significantly reduced in both PEX and PEXG groups compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001).
• No significant difference in CVI was observed between the PEX and PEXG groups (p>0.05).
• A statistically significant decrease in average RNFL thickness was noted in the PEXG group compared to both healthy and PEX groups.

Conclusions:

• The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is a reliable quantitative marker for assessing choroidal vascular changes in ocular conditions.
• Reduced CVI in pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) suggests significant ocular vascular compromise.
• These findings highlight the role of vascular alterations in the pathophysiology of pseudoexfoliative processes.