Pilotstudy: Diurnal Changes in Choroidal Volume

All patients undergo enhanced depth imaging (EDI) by the Spectralis SD-OCT device (Heidelberg Spectralis HRA2, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). SD-OCT measurements will be performed in both eyes after pupil dilation.

Scanning Protocol: This studies choroidal volume measurement protocol has been previously published. In short, 31 high resolution B-scans centered at the fovea will be obtained by a single investigator. To optimize image quality each B-scan will be averaged from at least 25 individual scans using the build in eye tracking software (TrueTrack, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Scan length will be set to 9.3mm and spacing to 240µm, resulting in a 30x25 degree area around the fovea.

Each individual will undergo SD-OCT measurement every 3 hours within a 24 hour timeframe (at 0, 3, 6, 9 12, 15, 18, and 21 o'clock; 8 times total). Additionally, automated blood pressure measurement and Goldmann applanation tonometry will be performed every 3 hours. Subject will be instructed to sleep in erect position from 21 to 6 o'clock, and will be awoken for examination at 0 and 3.

OCT Analysis: Two retinal specialists will manually adjust the segmentation lines for automated choroidal volume calculation by the devices build in software. Choroidal thickness is defined as the layer between the outer boarder of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the hyper reflective layer behind the large vessels of the choroid (chorio-scleral interface). The devices Software thus generates a three-dimensional choroidal thickness map, divided according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (EDTRS) grid. In addition to this, subfoveal choroidal thickness will be measured manually using the SD-OCTs integrated caliper tool, drawing a perpendicular line to the RPE within the aforementioned bounds.

This is considered a pilot study, so explorative data analysis will be performed.