Authors
Vasiliev A.S., Kulikov A.N., Maltsev D.S.
S.M. Kirov Military medical academy, St. Petersburg
Abstract
Backgraund: The choroid plays a key role in maintaining the normal functioning of the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium. Previously, several studies have shown that under the influence of cycloplegia, the thickness of the choroid increases. We assume that a spasm of accommodation, caused by pilocarpine can cause the opposite effect, which may benefit to pachychoroidal disorders.
Aims: To study effect of 1% pilocarpine on choroidal thickness in healthy sunbjects.
Materials and methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers (7 males and 9 females 25.8±3.3 years) were included. All participants received optical biometry to evaluate axial length and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) and choroidal area on cross-sectional
OCT scan with central 4-m zone. OCT examination was performed triple before and after pilocarpine administration in a study eye (6 times with 15 minutes interval). SCT and choroidal area were measured by two graders in masked fashion.
Results: Percent of change of SCT in study eye was -1.9±3.3% and 0.4±2.9%, respectively (p = 0.03), for Grader 1 and -2.2±3.1% and 0.9±3.7, respectively (p = 0.007), for Grader 2. Percent of change of choroidal area in study eye was -2.3±2.1% and 1.2±2.6%, respectively (p<0.001), for Grader 1 and -4.2±3.9% and 0.4±5.1%, respectively (p = 0.0013), for Grader 2. There was a correlation between the changes of SCT and axial length as well as between the changes of SCT and baseline SCT, r = 0.73 (p<0.001) and r = 0.81 (p<0.001), respectively.
Conclusions: In healthy eyes instillation of 1% pilocarpine results in choroidal thinning which is dependent on axial length and baseline SCT.
Keywords: choroid diseases; pilokarpine; optical coherence tomography.
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