Choroidal Vascularity Index Changes in Treatment-Naïve Hypercholesterolemia Patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is a measure of vascular status in the choroid.
• The impact of hypercholesterolemia on choroidal vascularity is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia patients.
• To compare CVI between hypercholesterolemia patients and healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between lipid levels and CVI.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing 50 hypercholesterolemia patients and 50 controls.
• Analysis of choroidal vascularity index (CVI), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA).
• Statistical analysis included analysis of covariance and partial correlation, adjusting for age, sex, and axial length.

Main Results:

• Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was significantly lower in hypercholesterolemia patients (P < 0.001).
• Stromal area (SA) was significantly thicker in patients (P = 0.006), while TCA and LA showed no significant differences.
• No correlation was found between lipid levels and CVI.

Conclusions:

• Hypercholesterolemia is associated with a reduced CVI and increased stromal area in the choroid.
• The observed changes in stromal area did not affect overall choroidal area or luminal area.
• Further research with longer follow-up is needed to elucidate the effects of increased stromal area.