Renal function linked to choroidal thickness in retinal vein occlusion

Renal function appears to impact subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) in treatment-naïve eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a recent study has found.

Through a retrospective chart review, the researchers looked at renal function information of 56 patients (mean age, 58.8±11.9 years) with unilateral RVO, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels. SFChT was measured using ocular coherence tomography (OCT).

Central and mean retinal thickness (RT) were both significantly higher in RVO eyes compared with normal fellow eyes (p<0.001 for both), as was SFChT (316.1±101.3 vs 290.8±100.5 µm; p=0.015). Mean ChT was likewise greater in RVO eyes (p=0.014).

When compared against normal control eyes, RVO eyes also showed significantly higher central and mean RT (p<0.001 for both). However, SFChT (p=0.167) and mean ChT (p=0.280) were not significantly altered.

Simple linear regression analysis revealed that SFChT was significantly correlated with eGFR (β, 1.393; p<0.001). This interaction remained significant in multiple linear regression analysis even after adjustments for covariates (β, 1.391; p<0.001).

Creatinine (p=0.002) and phosphorous (p=0.016) levels were likewise significant renal correlates of SFChT, although their effects were attenuated after adjustments.

“In this study, we evaluated the correlation of renal function with choroidal thickness using swept-source OCT. This study revealed that choroid thickness was closely correlated with eGFR in patients with RVO, independently of age and other potentially confounding factors,” the researchers said.