Comparison of Three-Dimensional Choroidal Contour in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and...

To compare the three-dimensional choroidal contour map of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and their fellow eyes.

This cross-sectional study included 30 patients with nAMD in one eye and early/intermediate AMD in the fellow eye. Wide-field (12 × 12 mm) swept source optical coherence tomography volumetric scans were obtained. Choroidal inner boundaries (CIBs) and choroidal outer boundaries (COBs) were delineated based on our previously reported deep learning model. Best-fit spherical radius (R, mm) was calculated for CIB and COB and compared in both groups using paired t tests. The regional variation of RCIB and RCOB in different sectors (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal, and central) was compared. P values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

The mean RCIB was 32.8 ± 8.6 mm and 32.5 ± 9.4 mm in nAMD group and their fellow eyes, respectively (P = 0.80). Similarly, the mean RCOB was 31.3 ± 7.0 mm in the nAMD group with no statistically significant variation in their fellow eyes (early/intermediate AMD, 31.5 ± 9.0 mm; P = 0.88). Comparison of RCIB (nAMD, 15.0 ± 9.1 mm; fellow eye, 15.2 ± 10.4 mm; P = 0.91) and RCOB (nAMD, 13.6 ± 8.1 mm; fellow eye, 12.2 ± 9.0 mm; P = 0.48) in the central sector where AMD lesions were located was not significant. Intragroup sectoral comparisons of RCIB and RCOB in both groups were statistically significant (all P values < .01).

RCIB and RCOB exhibited significant regional variations across different sectors in both eyes, including nAMD and fellow eyes. However, the comparison of RCIB and RCOB between the two groups was not significantly different.

The study of choroidal contour may help to understand the pathological changes in age-related macular degeneration.