Iovino Claudio, Pellegrini Marco, Bernabei Federico, Borrelli Enrico, Sacconi Riccardo, Govetto Andrea, Vagge Aldo, Di Zazzo Antonio, Forlini Matteo, Finocchio Lucia, Carnevali Adriano, Triolo Giacinto, Giannaccare Giuseppe
Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
Ophthalmology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
J Clin Med. 2020 Feb 21;9(2):595. doi: 10.3390/jcm9020595.
Remarkable improvements in optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology have resulted in highly sophisticated, noninvasive machines allowing detailed and advanced morphological evaluation of all retinal and choroidal layers. Postproduction semiautomated imaging analysis with dedicated public-domain software allows precise quantitative analysis of binarized OCT images. In this regard, the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is emerging as a new imaging tool for the measurement and analysis of the choroidal vascular system by quantifying both luminal and stromal choroidal components. Numerous reports have been published so far regarding CVI and its potential applications in healthy eyes as well as in the evaluation and management of several chorioretinal diseases. Current literature suggests that CVI has a lesser variability and is influenced by fewer physiologic factors as compared to choroidal thickness. It can be considered a relatively stable parameter for evaluating the changes in the choroidal vasculature. In this review, the principles and the applications of this advanced imaging modality for studying and understanding the contributing role of choroid in retinal and optic nerve diseases are discussed. Potential advances that may allow the widespread adoption of this tool in the routine clinical practice are also presented.
光学相干断层扫描（OCT）技术取得了显著进步，催生了高度精密的非侵入性设备，能够对视网膜和脉络膜各层进行详细且深入的形态学评估。利用专用的公共领域软件进行后期半自动化成像分析，可对二值化的OCT图像进行精确的定量分析。在这方面，脉络膜血管指数（CVI）正逐渐成为一种新型成像工具，通过对脉络膜管腔和基质成分进行量化，来测量和分析脉络膜血管系统。迄今为止，已有众多关于CVI及其在健康眼睛以及多种脉络膜视网膜疾病评估与管理中的潜在应用的报道。当前文献表明，与脉络膜厚度相比，CVI的变异性较小，受生理因素的影响也较少。它可被视为评估脉络膜血管系统变化的一个相对稳定的参数。在这篇综述中，将讨论这种先进成像方式在研究和理解脉络膜在视网膜和视神经疾病中的作用方面的原理及应用。还将介绍可能促使该工具在常规临床实践中广泛应用的潜在进展。
