Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Choroidal measurements in decision making for retinopathy of prematurity: a decision tree analysis
Mohammadreza Mehrabi Bahar1, Farhad Salari1, Afsar Dastjanifarahani1
1Retina Services, Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin Square, South Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Handheld SD-OCT can assess choroidal thickness and vascularity in premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Choroidal stromal index (CSI) is a key predictor for ROP treatment needs.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early detection and management of ROP are crucial to prevent vision loss.
- Choroidal changes may play a role in ROP development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare choroidal thickness and vascularity in premature infants with and without ROP requiring treatment.
- To evaluate the utility of choroidal measurements in predicting the need for ROP treatment.
- To investigate the association between choroidal characteristics and ROP severity.
Main Methods:
- Handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were performed on 115 eyes of 66 premature infants.
- Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at five points.
- Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal stromal index (CSI) were calculated.
- A classification and regression tree (CRT) algorithm was used to predict treatment needs.
Main Results:
- Mean nasal CT was significantly higher than temporal CT.
- No significant differences in CVI or CT were found between treatment and no-treatment groups.
- Foveal CT was significantly lower in ROP patients with plus disease.
- CSI was identified as the most important predictor for ROP treatment need.
Conclusions:
- Choroidal measurements, particularly CSI, show potential as additive tools for ROP treatment decision-making.
- Choroidal involution is linked to the presence of plus disease, not ROP stage.
- Choroidal measurements are sensitive but not specific for assessing ROP treatment needs.
Background:
To compare the choroidal thickness and vascular profile of premature infants with ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) using a handheld SD-OCT device.
Methods:
We performed horizontal SD-OCT scans through the fovea in 115 eyes of 66 premature infants. Premature infants included 2 groups [infants with ROP requiring treatment (as treatment group) vs. infants without ROP or with ROP not- requiring treatment (as no-treatment group)] Choroidal thicknesses (CT) were measured at 5 points, including the fovea, 250 µm, and 500 µm mm nasal and temporal to the fovea. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal stromal index (CSI) were also calculated. The classification and regression tree (CRT) algorithm was used to predict the need for treatment based on all OCT characteristics.
Results:
Mean CT was higher in 500 µm nasal to the fovea compared to temporal CT (275.8 ± 64.8 and 257.1 ± 57.07, P value < 0.03). No statistically significant difference was found regarding CVI, corrected CVI, and temporal and nasal CT in the treatment group versus the no-treatment group. The foveal CT was significantly lower in ROP patients with the plus disease compared to not-plus ROP (P value = 0.03. ANOVA, Bonferroni posthoc test). CT was not significantly different between plus and pre-plus patients (P-value = 0.9, ANOVA, Bonferroni posthoc test). No significant relationship was found between the stage of ROP and choroidal thickness (P value > 0.05, GEE). The decision tree analysis showed that in infants with ROP, the most important predictor for the need for treatment is CSI.
Conclusion:
This study delineated the possible effectiveness of choroidal measurements as an additive to decision-making for ROP. We also demonstrated that choroidal involution is associated with the presence of plus disease, not with the stage of ROP. We demonstrated that choroidal measurements are very sensitive but not specific tools for assessing the need for treatment in ROP patients.
More Related Videos
12:28Quantification of Vascular Parameters in Whole Mount Retinas of Mice with Non-Proliferative and Proliferative Retinopathies
Published on: March 12, 2022
03:35Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 1, 2023
