To evaluate choroidal and retinal thicknesses in singleton versus twin pregnancies using optical coherence tomography

• Published in: Middle East African journal of ophthalmology 2019-07, Vol.26 (3), p.153-157
• Main Authors: Alim, Sait, Ozsoy, Asker
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Choroid - anatomy & histology; Choroid - diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Nerve Fibers; Optics; Original; Physiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy, Twin; Retina; Retina - anatomy & histology; Retina - diagnostic imaging; Retinal Ganglion Cells - cytology; Studies; Tomography; Tomography, Optical Coherence - methods; Variance analysis; Womens health
• ISSN: 0974-9233; 0975-1599; 0975-1599; 0974-9233
• DOI: 10.4103/meajo.MEAJO_171_18

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the choroidal and retinal thicknesses in singleton versus twin pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 single and 20 twin pregnant women in their 3rd trimester with 20 age-matched healthy nonpregnant women as a control group. All participants underwent a detailed ocular examination. Cirrus enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography was used for choroidal thickness (CT) with frame enhancement software. The study was divided into three groups: Group 1 - singleton pregnancy, Group 2 - twin pregnancy, and Group 3 - healthy nonpregnant controls. CT was measured from nasal, subfoveal, and temporal fields. RESULTS: Regarding CT, the twin pregnancy group had the thickest choroid followed by the singleton pregnancy group and control group. There was a statistically significant difference between Group 2 and Group 3 in terms of nasal, subfoveal, and temporal CTs (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding just subfoveal CT (P = 0.028). Regarding retinal thickness, there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding the mean macular volume and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses (P < 0.05). Furthermore, regarding mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 and between Group 2 and Group 3 (P = 0.004, P = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study is the first one which evaluates choroidal and retinal thicknesses in twin pregnancies. We found that there was an increase in CT in the 3rd trimester of pregnancies and it was prominent in twin pregnancies.