Gender and Age Variations in Choroidal Vasculature in Healthy Subjects: Comparison between Choroidal Vascular Density and Vascular Index
Farhad Salari1 , Kia Bayat 1 , Ghazal Ghochani 1 , Fariba Ghassemi 1 *
- Eye research center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: To evaluate the significance of age and gender on Choroidal vascular index (CVI) and choroidal vascular density (CVD), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in normal subjects.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 164 eyes of 82 normal healthy children and adults aged 5–97 years who performed macular 3x3mm scans using OCTA. The automation of the segmentation of choriocapillaris plexus (CCP) was determined by employing the incorporated software algorithm. The software employed calculated the VD as the relative flow density (expressed in percentage) in the binary reconstructed images in the capillary plexuses. Also, to determine the vascular status of the choroid, the choroidal vascular index (CVI) was calculated by dividing the luminal area (LA) by the total circumscribed sub-foveal choroidal area using the Sonoda method.
Results: A statistically meaningful relationship was detected between age and CVD. Foveal choriocapillaris vascular density (CVD), parafoveal CVD and parafoveal DVD had a decreasing course during the life course. However, there was no significant difference in choroidal vascular index between age groups. All ages showed a value of around 70% (P=0.225). FAZ revealed relatively minor changes across age groups. CVD, parafoveal DVD, and parafoveal CVD) showed statistically significant differences between males and females, with males consistently exhibiting higher VD levels than females in these parameters. However, there was no significant difference in the choroidal vascular index of males and females.
Conclusion: OCTA analysis demonstrated higher sensitivity in revealing age and gender differences in comparison with CVI analysis. The male participants had higher VD than the female participants in all measured. CVD is known to be influenced by age.
