Comparative Study between Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Glaucomatous Eyes Versus Normal Eyes Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract Background: There has been increasing interest in inves-tigating the role of the choroid in the pathogenesis of glauco-matous optic neuropathy. While measurement of choroidal thickness by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) would be an attractive addition to the armamentar-ium of diagnostic and monitoring tools in glaucoma, the potential role of choroidal thickness as a risk factor requires further investigation.
Aim of the Study: To compare subfoveal choroidal thick-ness measurements in primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, and normal control group, and to correlate between the subfoveal choroidal thickness with each of the average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the average ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, as well as Humphrey field Analyzer parameters in these patients mainly the mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD).
Patients and Methods: Cross sectional observational case-control study. The study included 124 eyes; 40 eyes of PACG patients, 42 eyes of POAG patients and 42 eyes of normal controls. Measurement of the subfoveal choroidal thickness was done using SD-OCT in The Investigative and Laser Unit of The Ophthalmology Department of Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital. Results: There was no significant difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness among normal eyes, eyes with POAG and eyes with PACG (All p-values >0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between choroidal thickness and average RNFL thickness (r=0.804, p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: Lack of a significant difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness among normal eyes, eyes with POAG and eyes with PACG. A significant positive correlation existed between choroidal thickness and average RNFL thickness.