Changes in peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients with central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose We sought to evaluate changes of mean peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) over 12 months in patients with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods Our retrospective, observational study included 19 patients with treatment-naive, unilateral CRVO who completed at least 12 months of follow-up period. Mean PCT and mean SFCT in CRVO-affected eyes and unaffected contralateral eyes were measured at each follow-up visit, and then compared. Differences between baseline and 12 months (Delta SFCT and Delta PCT) and percentage changes (Delta SFCT or Delta PCT/baselinex100%) were determined. We also investigated the predictive factors for visual outcome in the CRVO-affected eyes. Results In the CRVO-affected eyes, mean PCT was 146.7 +/- 41.9 mu m at baseline, and 106.5 +/- 24.2 mu m at 12 months (P < 0.001). Mean PCT of the contralateral eyes was 129.8 +/- 42.6 mu m at baseline and 124.6 +/- 39.7 mu m at 12 months (P = 0.089). Mean SFCT of CRVO-affected eyes was 225.8 +/- 77.9 mu m at baseline, and 199.4 +/- 66.6 mu m at 12 months (P = 0.009). Mean SFCT of the contralateral eyes was 218.4 +/- 83.0 mu m at baseline, and 208.4 +/- 78.1 mu m at 12 months (P = 0.089). Delta PCT was -41.6 +/- 25.3 mu m in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -5.2 +/- 5.8 mu m in the contralateral eyes (P<0.001). % PCT was -24.9 +/- 14.0% in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -4.0 +/- 0.4% in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.001). Delta SFCT was -26.4 +/- 24.6 mu m in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -9.5 +/- 16.7 mu m in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.016). % SFCT was -10.4 +/- 9.8% in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -3.4 +/- 6.4% in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.015). Among the various factors, BCVA at baseline (beta = 0.797, P = 0.001) and % SFCT (beta = 0.712, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with visual outcome at 12 months in the CRVO-affected eyes. Conclusion Both peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal thickness reduced significantly over 12 months in the CRVO-affected eyes, but not in the contralateral eyes. In addition, the absolute reduction amount and reduction ratio of PCT and SFCT were significantly greater in the CRVO-affected eyes than the contralateral eyes.