Choroidal thickness in macular, nasal midperiphery, and temporal midperiphery regions and its relationship with axial length and refractive error

This study aimed to investigate the choroidal thickness (ChT) distribution in adult myopic eyes, focusing on the macular, nasal midperiphery, and temporal midperiphery regions, and to explore its relationship with axial length (AL) and refractive error.

A cross-sectional, observational study.

Twenty-nine eyes of 29 adult volunteers were examined. ChT was measured using high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography covering an area of 50 degrees in three different regions: centered at macular, nasal side at 33 degrees, and temporal side at 33 degrees. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences in ChT between regions and correlations with AL and spherical equivalent (SE).

ChT was found to be thickest in the macular region, followed by the nasal and temporal midperiphery regions. Significant correlations were observed between AL/SE and ChT in the macular and temporal regions, but not in the nasal region. The temporal midperiphery showed the strongest correlation with AL and SE.

This study revealed a nasal-temporal asymmetry in ChT distribution in myopic eyes, with the temporal midperiphery showing the thinnest ChT. The strong correlations between ChT in the temporal midperiphery and AL/SE suggest a role for the temporal choroid in axial elongation and myopia progression. These findings highlight the importance of considering peripheral ChT in understanding ocular growth and myopia management.