Peripapillary choroidal thickness by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography: the impact of metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) and to characterize the PPCT in a Portuguese population.

METHODS

This prospective study included 104 eyes. Detailed medical and ophthalmic examinations were performed; the PPCT was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) modality. The PPCT changes with MetS, as well as with other clinical and demographic factors, were investigated.

RESULTS

The mean PPCT was 142.4 ± 54.0 µm (58-303 µm); it was thickest superiorly, followed by the temporal, nasal, and inferior sectors. The PPCT was significantly associated with axial length (p<0.001), age (p = 0.001), intraocular pressure (IOP) (p = 0.041), weight (p = 0.015), and arterial hypertension (p = 0.044). The presence of MetS was associated with thinner PPCT in all sectors, being statistically significant in the temporal (p = 0.032) and inferotemporal (p = 0.034) sectors.

CONCLUSIONS

The choroidal thickness was significantly less in temporal and inferotemporal sectors in patients with MetS than in controls. This may suggest vascular insufficiency around the optic nerve head.