Retinal and choroidal biometry in highly myopic eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

¹ Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
² Ophthalmology Dept., Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka, Japan

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ikuno{at}ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.

	Abstract

Purpose: Morphologic changes of the retina and choroid are closely related with high myopia-related pathologies. We evaluated the morphologic characteristics of normal highly myopic eyes. Patients and methods: Thirty-one phakic highly myopic eyes with no posterior abnormalities in 18 patients (mean+/-SD age 51.7+/-11.4 y) were enrolled. Retinal/choroidal thickness at the fovea 1.5 mm superiorly, inferiorly, nasally, and temporally, and the choroidal curvature were measured in the 512x128 3D scan mode with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Degree of posterior staphyloma was determined as the sum of the vertical distance from the retinal pigment epithelial line beneath the fovea to the nasal, temporal, superior, inferior edge of the image, including the fovea. Association of clinical data with these parameters was evaluated. Results: Mean+/-SD central retinal thickness was 200.9+/-39.3µm. Mean choroidal thickness at the fovea (100.5+/-56.9µm) was significantly different from the temporal (125.4+/-59.7µm), nasal (81.9+/-35.0µm), and superior (129.4+/-57.5µm) thicknesses (P's<0.01). Central retinal thickness was not correlated with age, sex, refractive error, axial length, or central choroidal thickness. Central choroidal thickness was significantly associated with refractive error (P<0.05) and posterior staphyloma height (P<0.01). Posterior staphyloma height was significantly correlated with refractive error and axial length (P's<0.01). Stepwise analysis indicated that choroidal thickness was significantly correlated with age and posterior staphyloma height (P's<0.01). Conclusions: Posterior staphyloma formation was a key factor for choroidal thinning in highly myopic eyes. Choroidal thickness had a greater effect than retinal thickness in highly myopic eyes.

Key Words: optical coherence tomography, myopia, choriocapillaris

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