Choroidal morphology and vascular analysis in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe morphology and vascular layer thickness of the choroid in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 15 eyes with neovascular AMD and 11 healthy age-matched eyes that underwent single horizontal, high-definition raster line imaging using high-definition SD-OCT. Two independent graders assessed choroid morphology and measured the thickness of individual vascular layers of the choroid beneath the fovea. RESULTS: Normal concave choroidal contour was found in 13.3% of eyes with neovascular AMD and 100% of healthy eyes. The thickest point of the choroid was located beneath the foveal center in 20% of eyes and focal thinning was observed in 40% of eyes with neovascular AMD, compared to 91% and 0% of healthy eyes, respectively. Subfoveal total choroidal thickness, large choroidal vessel layer thickness, and the medium choroidal vessel/choriocapillaris layer thickness were reduced in eyes with neovascular AMD compared to healthy eyes (205.7 ?m ± 17.08 ?m versus 281.3 ?m ± 19.29 ?m, P = .007; 174.1 ?m ± 16.34 ?m versus 244.5 ?m ± 19.51 ?m, P = .01; and 31.53 ?m ± 3.67 ?m verus 51.9 ?m ± 1.94 ?m, P = .0002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Choroidal morphology is altered in eyes with neovascular AMD as assessed on SDOCT. Choroidal thinning in neovascular AMD involves all its vascular layers. These morphological and vascular changes may have clinical implications in the diagnosis and monitoring of eyes with neovascular AMD.