title: Optical coherence tomography-based correlation between choroidal thickness and drusen load in dry age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can be used to measure both choroidal thickness and drusen load. The authors conducted an exploratory study using spectral domain optical coherence tomography to determine if a correlation between choroidal thickness and drusen load exists in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients with dry age-related macular degeneration were recruited. The drusen area and volume were determined using the automated software algorithm of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography device, and choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging. Correlations were determined using multivariable and univariable analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors found an inverse correlation between choroidal thickness and drusen load (r = -0.35, P = 0.04). Drusen load was also correlated with visual acuity (r = 0.32, P = 0.04). A correlation between choroidal thickness and visual acuity was suggested (r = -0.22, P = 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can be used to assess the correlation between drusen load and choroidal thickness, both of which show a relationship with visual acuity. The measurement of these outcomes may serve as important outcome parameters in routine clinical care and in clinical trials for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Sijia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Kaivon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pakzad-Vaezi
authors.forename: Penelope M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Brasher
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Merkur
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Albiani
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kirker
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: Farzin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forooghian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002829:Choroid / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology