Choroidal changes in eyes treated with high-dose systemic corticosteroids for optic neuritis.

AIM: To analyze the effect of systemic high-dose corticosteroid on the choroid in patients with unilateral optic neuritis.

METHODS

A retrospective comparative cohort study. Seventy-six eyes of 38 patients with unilateral optic neuritis that received systemic high-dose corticosteroid treatment were enrolled. Choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were measured in both affected and the fellow eyes at baseline, 1wk, 1 and 3mo. Changes in CT and CVI were analyzed in both eyes and compared between eyes.

RESULTS

The mean CT and CVI were 349 µm and 0.70 in the affected eyes and 340 µm and 0.69 in the fellow eyes at baseline (P=0.503 and 0.440, respectively). Decrement of CT and CVI at month 3 were significant in affected eyes (P=0.017 and P<0.001). Decreased CVI began 2wk after treatment whereas CT decreased from 1mo. The CVI also decreased significantly in fellow eyes at 3mo compared to the baseline (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

A significant decrement in CT and CVI can appear after 3mo in optic neuritis patients treated with high-dose systemic corticosteroid treatment. The decrease in CVI appeared earlier than the decrease in CT, suggesting choroidal vasoconstriction caused by systemic steroid as a possible mechanism.