Evaluation of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship between internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in the elderly population. Methods. A total of 42 eyes of 21 patients with more than 70% ICA stenosis (Group 1) on one side and less than 70% stenosis (Group 2) on the other side were recruited for this study. ICA stenosis was diagnosed using both the B-mode and Doppler ultrasound. The two groups were compared in terms of the percentage of stenosis, SFCT measurements, intraocular pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, refractive error, and peak systolic velocity. Eyes were examined with the RTVue-100 OCT device by the EDI-OCT technique. Results. The mean age of the patients was 71.9 ± 10.8 years. The mean percentage of ICA stenosis was 74 ± 4.9% in Group 1 and 47.5 ± 7.7% in Group 2. The mean SFCT was 231.9 ± 44.6 μm in Group 1 and 216.2 ± 46.8 μm in Group 2, which was significantly lower (P = 0.028). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the percentage of internal carotid artery stenosis and SFCT (r = 0896, P = 0.001). Conclusions. Compensatory SFCT increase can be seen in ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis greater than 70%.

Impact of Carotid Endarterectomy on Choroidal Thickness and Volume in Enhanced Depth Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging

“…Similarly, Sayin et al compared the eyes of severe ICAS patients with those of healthy volunteers and found a significantly thinner central choroid in the former group [29]. On the other hand, Akçay et al found that the choroid was thicker in patients with unilateral significant ICA stenosis in a presumable mechanism of compensatory enlargement of the choriocapillaris vasculature to prevent retinal and choroidal ischaemia as a result of the diminished blood flow due to ICA stenosis [17]. Significantly, the young age of our study participants may provide some explanation.…”

“…e blood supply to the choroid arises from the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery (ICA) via the short ciliary arteries [17,29]. Stenosis of the ICA results in the reduction of arterial pressure distal to the stenosis, including brain and ocular circulation.…”

“…It is currently believed that vascular disorders are the basis of many ocular diseases, including AMD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy [14][15][16]. Insufficient blood supply to the eye due to internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS) may manifest as acute or chronic ischaemic symptoms [17][18][19][20]. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is considered an effective therapeutic method for improving cerebral and ocular circulation [21][22][23].…”

Relationship Between Renal Function and Choroidal Thickness in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Detected by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

“…7 Studies have also found that CT reduction is associated with increased arterial stiffness. 28,30,31 Because the choroidal blood vessels nourish the outer retinal layer and RPE, it is possible that retinopathy is secondary to choroidal damage. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system can also cause CT changes, and overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system is a feature of DN.…”

Comment on “Evaluation of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis”

“…We have read the article entitled “Evaluation of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis” by Akçay et al with great interest [ 1 ]. The authors researched the relationship between internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) in the elderly population.…”