Choroidal Vascularity Index in CHM Carriers
Dario Pasquale Mucciolo1,2, Dario Giorgio1, Myrta Lippera1
1Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Insights
Choroidal vascularity in female choroideremia (CHM) carriers appears normal, with no significant differences in the Choroidal Vascularity Index (CVI) compared to controls. This suggests the retinal pigment epithelium plays a key role in CHM pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Choroideremia (CHM) is an X-linked genetic disorder causing progressive vision loss.
- Understanding the choroidal structure in CHM carriers is crucial for disease management.
- The Choroidal Vascularity Index (CVI) is a quantitative measure of choroidal vascularization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate choroidal structure using CVI in female CHM carriers.
- To analyze choroidal changes in relation to CHM genetic status.
Main Methods:
- Recruited female CHM carriers and age-matched controls.
- Performed comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations and retinal imaging.
- Calculated Stromal Area (SA), Luminal Area (LA), Total Choroidal Area (TCA), CVI, and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness (SFCT) using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in SFCT, LA, SA, TCA, or CVI between CHM carriers and controls.
- Mean CVI was 64.03% in carriers vs. 65.25% in controls (p=0.360).
- Choroidal vascular parameters remained stable despite RPE impairment.
Conclusions:
- CVI and related parameters are preserved in female CHM carriers.
- These findings highlight the intact choroidal vasculature in CHM carriers.
- The results support the critical role of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in CHM pathogenesis.
Purpose:
To assess the choroidal structure using the Choroidal Vascularity Index (CVI) and analyse choroidal changes in choroideremia (CHM) carriers.
Material And Methods:
Female CHM carriers, genetically characterized, and a control group were recruited at the Eye Clinic of Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence. The patients underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation and retinal imaging. In particular, the Stromal Area (SA), Luminal Area (LA), Total Choroidal Area (TCA), CVI, and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness (SFCT) were calculated for each eye using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) examinations.
Results:
Twelve eyes of 6 CHM carriers and 14 eyes of 7 age-matched controls were analysed. The mean SFCT was 270.9 ± 54.3μm in carriers and 281.4 ± 36.8μm in controls (p = 0.564); LA was 0.99 ± 0.25mm2 and 1.01 ± 0.13mm2 (p = 0.172); SA was 0.53 ± 0.09mm2 and 0.59 ± 0.07mm2 (p = 0.075), and TCA was 1.53 ± 0.34mm2 and 1.69 ± 0.19mm2 respectively (p = 0.146). Mean CVI measured 64.03 ± 3.98% in the CHM carriers and 65.25 ± 2.55% in the controls (p = 0.360).
Conclusions:
The CVI and CVI-related parameters (SA, LA, and TCA) do not differ between CHM female carriers and controls. These findings reveal a preserved choroidal vasculature in eyes with RPE impairment and support the primary role of RPE in the pathogenesis of CHM disease.
More Related Videos
07:18Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
05:14Author Spotlight: Overcoming Anti-VEGF Resistance Through Advanced Vascular Morphology Assessment in Choroidal Neovascularization
Published on: August 11, 2023
