Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in a General Elderly Population; Tehran Geriatric Eye Study Publisher Pubmed



Hashemi A¹ ; Nabovati P² ; Mortazavi A³ ; Hashemi H⁴ ; Khabazkhoob M⁵
Source: BMC Ophthalmology Published:2024

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the distribution of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and its associated demographic, ocular, and systemic factors in an elderly population. Methods: This report is part of the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study (TGES); a population-based cross-sectional study that was conducted on the urban elderly population of Tehran, aged 60 years and above using multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling. Choroidal imaging was performed using Spectralis SD-OCT with enhanced depth imaging mode. Results: The average SFCT was 265.3 ± 25.9 μm (95% CI: 262.8-267.7) in the whole sample. According to the multiple generalized estimating equation (GEE) model, pseudophakia had a statistically significant direct relationship with SFCT (coefficient = 5.69), and history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was significantly inversely related to SFCT (coefficient=-4.77). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between age and sex in the average SFCT so that with increasing age, the SFCT increased in men and decreased in women. Conclusion: The normal values of SFCT in the present study can be used as a reference database for clinical and research purposes. Age-sex interaction, pseudophakia, and history of CVA were significantly associated with SFCT in the elderly population. It is recommended that these factors be taken into account when interpreting SFCT data. © The Author(s) 2024.