Pathophysiology of macular disease by measuring scleral thickness using AS-OCT

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18349
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Imanaga Naoya 琉球大学, 病院, 助教 (50866134)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Scleral thickness / Pachychoroid / CSC / SS-OCT / AS-OCT / PNV

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recently, a choroidal abnormality called pachycoloid, characterized by choroidal thickening and choroidal vascular dilatation, has been proposed and suggested to be associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and some age-related macular degeneration. However, the mechanism by which pachycoloid arise has remained to be determined.
The applicants measured scleral thickness using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and found that the sclera was thicker in CSC eyes than in normal eyes and that thicker sclera was associated with choroidal circulatory overflow in CSC eyes. These findings strongly support that the sclera plays a crucial role in forming pachycoloid and are groundbreaking research results that indicate the possibility of surgical treatment for pachycoloid-related diseases.

Free Research Field

眼科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果にて視機能に高度の影響を及ぼす可能性のある、中心性漿液性脈絡網膜症（CSC）やパキコロイドと呼ばれる脈絡膜異常を原因とする加齢黄斑変性において、強膜の肥厚という眼球の解剖学的な要因が関与している可能性が示唆された。従来はCSCやパキコロイドを原因とする加齢黄斑変性は、光線力学療法や抗血管内皮増殖因子剤の投与という対症療法しか存在しなかったが、本研究により強膜をターゲットとした治療法の開発を見出した。また、事前に強膜を含む眼球パラメーター測定することで、将来的なパキコロイド関連疾患の罹患リスクが判明する可能性がある。