Changes in the choroidal thickness in reproductive-aged women with iron-deficiency anemia

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential significance of the central macular thickness (foveal thickness-FT) and choroidal thickness (CT) in the eyes of patients with iron-deficiency anemia, the most common form of the anemia, via enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). We also investigated whether such changes might serve as an early indicator of underlying hematological disease. Methods: This prospective clinical study compared 96 female patients with iron-deficiency anemia and 60 healthy female control subjects. The macular and choroidal thicknesses in the temporal and nasal subfoveal areas were measured using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) at 500 and 1500 microns and in five different regions (FCT, T-1500, T-500, N-500, and N-1500). Results: The mean ages of the patients and healthy controls were 34.08 +/- 10.39 years and 32.29 +/- 8.28 years, respectively (P = 0.232). There were no significant changes in macular thickness between the groups (225.58 +/- 19.76 vs. 222.45 +/- 13.51, P = 0.2). The choroidal thickness was significantly reduced in the patient group relative to the controls at all measured points (foveal choroidal thickness, P = 0.042; nasal-500 microns, P = 0.033; temporal-500 microns, P = 0.033; and temporal-1500 microns, P = 0.019). At some points, the choroidal thickness findings correlated with the hemoglobin values (temporal-500 microns, r = -0.287, P = 0.001; nasal-500 microns, r = -0.287, P = 0.005; nasal-1500 microns, r = -0.245, P = 0.016; and temporal-1500 microns, r = -0.280, P = 0.06). Conclusions: Patients with iron-deficiency anemia had a significantly reduced choroidal thickness.