New Insights Into the Association Between Choroidal Vessels and Choriocapillaris in Normal Eyes

Abstract

To determine the relationship between large-sized and medium-sized choroidal vessels and choriocapillaris using the three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (3D CVI) and percentage of flow deficits (FD%).Methods: Prospective observational study. The main outcome measures included choroidal volume parameters (3D CVI, mean choroidal thickness, total choroidal volume, choroidal luminal volume, and choroidal stromal volume), choriocapillaris parameters (FD %, average area of FD, and FD count), and age and axial length.Results: A total of 63 healthy individuals with an average age of 40.60 ± 12.32 years were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that FD% (R = 0.295, P = 0.019) and area of FD (R = 0.276, P = 0.028) were significantly positively associated with 3D CVI, and FD count was negatively associated with 3D CVI (R = 20.297, P = 0.018). After adjusting for age and axial length, a significant correlation between FD% and 3D CVI (R = 0.264, P = 0.039) and between area of FD and 3D CVI remained (R = 0.267, P = 0.037). However, no significant correlation was found between FD count and 3D CVI after adjusting for axial length (R = 20.220, P = 0.085).Conclusion: In healthy individuals, choroidal vessel dilatation as suggested by elevated 3D CVI may lead to decreased choriocapillaris perfusion, which was correlated with an enlarged area of FD in choriocapillaris.

Validation of reliability, repeatability and consistency of Three-dimensional Choroidal Vascular Index

“…However, in Cheong KX et al's study, which quanti ed the 3D-CVI of 50 subjects' fundus within a 30-degree range centered on the fovea, no correlation was found between 3D-CVI and age (P = 0.081) [12]. Similarly, Sun G et al's study quanti ed the 3D-CVI of 63 healthy subjects' choroids within a 3*3mm range centered on the fovea and found no correlation between 3D-CVI and age (r = 0.043, P = 0.741) [17]. Our study results differ from previous reports.…”

Macular Choroidal Thickness and the Risk of Referable Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study

“… 17 In healthy subjects, CT was also found to be significantly correlated with choriocapillaris parameters, including choriocapillaris flow deficit (CC FD) density ( r = 0.290, P = 0.021) and CC FD number ( r = -0.312, P = 0.013). 18 Using SS-OCT angiography, Zheng et al 19 reported that CT was stably correlated with choriocapillaris vessel density ( r = 0.70–0.77) in patients with AMD with or without reticular pseudodrusen. In healthy subjects and patients with glaucoma, other studies have found that CT was independently associated with ocular perfusion pressure after adjusting for refractory errors, suggesting that CT may indirectly reflect ocular perfusion status.…”

Compartmental analysis of three-dimensional choroidal vascularity and thickness of myopic eyes in young adults using SS-OCTA

“…Thereafter, choroidal thickness (ChT), CVV, and CVI for the entire 3D scanning areas were automatically quantified by a deep learning algorithm in the SS-OCTA device, same as in previous studies ( Figure 1 , Supplementary Figure S1 ) ( Yang et al, 2020 ; Sun et al, 2021 ). ChT was defined as the length between 10 μm above Bruch’s membrane and the choroid–sclera interface.…”

“…62, 8. doi:10. 1167/iovs.62.1.8 Xu, A., Sun, G., Duan, C., Chen, Z., andChen, C. (2021). Quantitative assessment of three-dimensional choroidal vascularity and choriocapillaris flow signal voids in myopic patients using SS-OCTA.…”