Analysis of Choroidal Thickness in Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: To measure choroidal thickness in eyes with retinal vein occlusions (RVO) and to compare choroidal thickness before and after the injection of a sustained-release dexamethasone implant. Method: A retrospective study was conducted on 47 patients diagnosed with unilateral macular edema associated with RVO. All patients were treated using an intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone implant. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after dexamethasone implant injection. Each patient was followed up for 5 months after the injection. Subfoveal choroidal thickness of the eye with RVO was compared with that of the contralateral eye, which was normal in all cases. Choroidal thickness was measured at each follow-up examination. Results: Among 47 patients, 5 were excluded due to missing measurements

42 patients (89.4%) were finally included. Mean age was 57 ± 13 years. The study population included 25 women and 17 men. Subfoveal choroidal thickness in the eyes with RVO was 254 ± 70 μm, which was higher than that in the contralateral normal eyes (217 ± 55 μm, p < 0.001). Choroidal thickness decreased significantly at 1 month, 3 months, and 5 months after the injection of a dexamethasone implant (all p < 0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness and retinal thickness showed a positive correlation (correlation coefficient: +0.388, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Subfoveal choroidal thickness was greater in eyes with RVO. Choroidal thickness decreased persistently for 5 months after the injection of a sustained-release dexamethasone implant.