Korean J Ophthalmol.  2013 Jun;27(3):172-177. 10.3341/kjo.2013.27.3.172.

Simplified Method to Measure the Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness Using Three-dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography

• Oh J
• Yoo C
• Yun CM
• Yang KS
• Kim SW
• Huh K

• KMID: 1798054
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2013.27.3.172

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate a simplified method to measure peripapillary choroidal thickness using commercially available, three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT).
METHODS
3D-OCT images of normal eyes were consecutively obtained from the 3D-OCT database of Korea University Medical Center On the peripapillary images for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysis, choroidal thickness was measured by adjusting the segmentation line for the retinal pigment epithelium to the chorioscleral junction using the modification tool built into the 3D-OCT image viewer program. Variations of choroidal thickness at 12 sectors of the peripapillary area were evaluated.
RESULTS
We were able to measure the peripapillary choroidal thickness in 40 eyes of our 40 participants, who had a mean age of 41.2 years (range, 15 to 84 years). Choroidal thickness measurements had strong inter-observer correlation at each sector (r = 0.901 to 0.991, p < 0.001). The mean choroidal thickness was 191 +/- 62 microm. Choroidal thickness was greatest at the temporal quadrant (mean +/- SD, 210 +/- 78 microm), followed by the superior (202 +/- 66 microm), nasal (187 +/- 64 microm), and inferior quadrants (152 +/- 59 microm).
CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of choroidal thickness on peripapillary circle scan images for RNFL analysis using the 3D-OCT viewing program was highly reliable and efficient.

Keyword

Choroid; Optical coherence tomography; Retina; Retinal nerve fiber layer

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Choroid/*anatomy & histology
Databases, Factual
Female
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional/*methods/statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Observer Variation
Retina/*anatomy & histology
Tomography, Optical Coherence/*methods/statistics & numerical data
Young Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Measurement of choroidal thickness on peripapillary circle scan images of three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3DOCT) used to capture retinal nerve fiber layer images using the Topcon 3D-OCT viewer program. The segmentation line, which was automatically set for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE, A), was modified to the chorioscleral junction (B). The choroidal thickness was calculated by subtracting the retinal thickness (top right) from the chorioretinal thickness (bottom right). The peripapillary choroidal thickness was the greatest in the temporal quadrant (9), followed by the superior (12) and nasal ones (3). It was thinnest at the inferior quadrant (6). LM = limiting membrane; IS/OS = inner segement / outer segment; RPE = retinal pigemnt epithelium; BM = basement membrane.

• 

  Fig. 2 Profile plot of the centered choroidal, retinal, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses. Choroidal thickness around the optic disc had the minimum value in the inferior region, while the retina and RNFL were thicker in the superior and inferior regions.

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