Association of choroidal thickness with eye growth: a cross-sectional study of individuals between 4 and 23 years

Background and aims We aimed to evaluate the association of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) with age and to determine its relationship with axial length (AL) and ocular biometric parameters, in children and young adults during growth period. Methods One hundred and sixty patients (80 male, 80 female) aged between 4 and 23 years were included. Patients were classified into five groups according to their ages as group 1 (4–7 years of age), group 2 (8–11 years), group 3 (12–15 years), group 4 (16–19 years), and group 5 (20–23 years). SFCT was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (3D OCT-2000). The measurements were taken at the same daytime (1000–1200 hours) to avoid diurnal fluctuation. Ocular AL and anterior segment parameters were measured using optical biometry (Lenstar LS900)). Results The average SFCT was 308.1±47.6 μ m, ranging from 206 to 410 μ m. The mean SFCT values in group 1 to 5 were measured as 306.8±42.0, 297.8±48.1, 283.2±38.9, 326.9±57.4, and 325.8±35.9 μ m, respectively. The mean CT of group 3 was significantly thinner than group 4 and 5 ( P