The association between subfoveal choroidal thickness and refractive error in Taiwanese children: A cross-sectional
Li-Ying Huang1, Lu-Ting Yu2, Ning-Yi Hsia1,3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Insights
Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in Taiwanese children averages 299.0 μm. Thinner SFCT is associated with myopia, longer axial length, and lower cylinder power, but not visual acuity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric eye research
- Choroidal imaging
Background:
- Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) is a key indicator of ocular health.
- Understanding factors influencing SFCT in children is crucial for early detection of potential vision issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and various ocular parameters in a Taiwanese pediatric population.
- To identify predictors of SFCT in children, including age, visual acuity, refractive error, and axial length.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 374 eyes from 187 children.
- Measurements included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, and axial length (AL).
- Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was assessed using spectral domain enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
Main Results:
- The mean SFCT was 299.0 ± 69.80 μm in children aged 2-16 years.
- Univariate analysis showed correlations between SFCT and spherical equivalent, sphere power, age, cylinder power, and axial length.
- Multivariate analysis revealed that thinner SFCT was significantly associated with lower cylinder power and longer axial length, independent of age and refractive error. BCVA showed no significant association with SFCT.
Conclusions:
- Mean SFCT in Taiwanese children is approximately 299.0 μm.
- Pediatric eyes with myopia, longer axial length, and lower cylinder power tend to have thinner SFCT.
- These findings contribute to understanding choroidal development and its relationship with refractive status in children.
Purpose:
The aim was to analyze the association of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) with age, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, and axial length in Taiwan pediatric population.
Methods:
A total of 374 eyes in 187 children were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional comparative study, who underwent examinations of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, and axial length (AL). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was assessed utilizing spectral domain enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), with measurements taken at the subfovea, defined as the distance from the retinal pigment epithelium to the chorioscleral border.
Results:
The mean age was 5.6 ± 1.9 years (range 2-16 years). The cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractive error was between + 7.25 and - 15.25 diopters (D) and cycloplegic sphere power was between + 8.25 and - 11.5 diopters (D). The mean SFCT was 299.0 ± 69.80 μm. The mean axial length was 22.87 ± 1.29 mm. In univariate analysis, SFCT had significant positive correlations with spherical equivalent (SE) and sphere power (p < 0.05) and significant negative correlations with age, cylinder power, and axial length (p < 0.05). However, after adjusting in the multivariate regression analysis, spherical equivalent, sphere power and age were not independently associated with SFCT. In multivariate analysis, lower cylinder power and longer axial length have significant correlations with thinner SFCT. The relationship between best-corrected visual acuity and SFCT was not significant in both analyses.
Conclusions:
This study showed that mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 299.0 ± 69.80 μm among Taiwanese children. The SFCT was thinner in myopic, longer axial length, and lower cylinder power eyes.
