Within-day changes in luminal, stromal choroidal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index in healthy adults

Purpose: To investigate topographical and within-day changes in the choroidal vascularity index and its association with choroidal thickness parameters (total, luminal, and stromal thickness) among young adults. Methods: Choroidal thickness and vascularity index were measured in 28 healthy young adults (age mean +/- standard deviation [SD]: 25 +/- 3.0) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Participants were divided into three refractive groups: emmetropes, myopes, and high myopes. Choroidal parameters were evaluated in the macular and peripheral regions in the superior and inferior regions at two time points during the day; in the morning (at 7 am) and in the afternoon (at 1 pm). Results: All investigated choroidal thickness parameters showed a significant topographical variation across the vertical meridian, between the foveal (270 +/- 89 mu m, 170 +/- 45 mu m, and 111 +/- 47 mu m, respectively) and peripheral (246 +/- 68 mu m, 160 +/- 39 mu m, 86 +/- 36 mu m, respectively). The superior choroid was thicker in all thickness parameters compared to the inferior choroid. A significant increase in the vascularity percentage was seen from the fovea (61.8 +/- 7%) toward the periphery (66.4 +/- 7%). Thinner choroidal parameters were associated with high myopia, whereas an increase in the vascularity index was observed in high myopes. Significant within-day changes were observed in all choroidal thickness parameters, which were slightly reduced in the afternoon. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) increased from 61.3 +/- 5.3% in the morning and 63.2 +/- 5.8% in the afternoon. High myopes exhibited reduced within-day amplitude in stromal thickness. Conclusion: All parameters showed significant regional variations. Myopia is associated with greater thinning in stromal thickness rather than vascular thickness. Only high myopes experienced reduced within-day change amplitudes in stromal choroidal thickness that was more predominant in the foveal and parafoveal regions.

Automated summary

This study investigated the topographical and within-day changes in choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and its association with choroidal thickness parameters among young adults. The results showed significant regional variations in choroidal thickness parameters, with thicker choroid in the superior region. Myopia was associated with thinner choroidal thickness, and high myopes exhibited reduced within-day change amplitudes in stromal choroidal thickness. The findings highlight the importance of considering choroidal vascularity and thickness in understanding the ocular characteristics of young adults.