Choroidal vascularization in polycystic ovary syndrome: an optical coherence tomography study

The aim of this study was to assess choroidal vascularization in individuals with new diagnoses of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) using optical coherence tomography(OCT).

This prospective study included 46 patients with newly diagnosed PCOS and 40 healthy controls. Demographic and ocular examination characteristics of all participants were recorded. Retinal layers, choroidal thickness, and optic disc morphology (rim area, disc area, cup volume, and average and vertical cup/disc ratio) were assessed via OCT. High-line OCT sections were analyzed using the open-source image processing software ImageJ to determine luminal choroidal area (LCA),stromal choroidal area (SCA), and total choroidal area (TCA) in both macular(m) and peripapillary(p) regions. The ratio of LCA to TCA was defined as the choroidal vascularity index(CVI).The relationship between hormonal profile parameters (LH,FSH,TSH, estradiol, and prolactin) and choroidal vascular metrics was analyzed using multiple regression.

The two groups were matched for age and sex. Refractive error, axial length, body mass index, and intraocular pressure were comparable between groups(all p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of retinal layers, choroidal thickness, or optic disc morphology parameters (all p > 0.05). Similarly, LCA, SCA, and TCA values did not significantly differ between groups(all p > 0.05). Although both macular CVI(mCVI) and peripapillary CVI(pCVI) values were higher in the PCOS group, the differences were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). No significant correlations were found between hormonal parameters and choroidal vascular indices(all p > 0.05).

This study is the first to evaluate choroidal vascularization in PCOS patients using OCT-based methods. Our findings indicate that choroidal vascular parameters, which provide direct insight into choroidal vascularization, are similar between PCOS patients and healthy controls.