Ab0645 Choroidal Vascularity Index and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessed With Enhanced-Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography

Background: Systemic vasculitis due to rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the choroidal tissue, which has a rich vascular network. Retinal vasculitis and choroiditis can be seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). Methods: The study included 56 eyes of 28 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 65 eyes of 65 age- and sex-matched healthy normal participants. CVIs of all participants were measured by transferring enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images to the image J program and compared between the 2 groups. SFCT, central macular thickness (CMT) and optic disc parameters of all participants were measured with spectral domain OCT and compared. Results: The mean CVI values of the RA and control groups were 65.9±1.52 and 68.56±1.62, respectively, and were significantly lower in the RA group (p:0.001). Mean SFCT values of the RA and control groups were 290.11±15.18 and 332.88±11.04, respectively, and SFCT was significantly lower in the RA group (p:0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of CMT and optic disc parameters. Conclusion: RA patients have lower CVI and thinner SFCT than healthy participants. REFERENCES: NIL.Acknowledgements: I thank all the authors for their contributions. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.