Clinical observation and correlation between the different degrees of myopia and choroidal thickness in children and adolescents

Myopia is a common visual problem, and the relationship between the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and the different degrees of myopia has always been a hotspot in myopia research. This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study. From July 2022 to December 2023,102 (204 eyes) myopic patients from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were collected, and 3 groups were low, moderate and high myopia according to spherical equivalent (SE). All patients underwent an ocular basic examination, and the macular subfoveal and peripheral choroidal thickness was measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Follow-up after 1 year, record relevant data and statistical analysis. There were significant differences in choroidal thickness, SE, and axial length (AL) in the different degrees of myopia at baseline ( P < .05), and no differences in corneal curvature ( P > .05). At follow-up, the choroidal thickness was significantly different from the low and moderate groups ( P < .05), and some loci in the low and moderate groups were significant ( P < .05). Choroidal thickness was different between the 3 groups at baseline and at follow-up ( P < .05). Overall, SFCT was positively correlated with SE ( r = 0.63, P < .05) and negatively with AL ( r = −0.62, P < .05). There are different associations between different degrees of myopia. The low myopia group had the thickest choroid in the macular area, the high myopia group the thinnest, and the thinnest nasal side. Myopia increases, and the choroidal thickness becomes thinner. SFCT was negatively correlated with AL, positively correlated with SE in high myopia, and no such relationship between moderate and low myopia. Choroidal thickness is associated with AL and refractive error, suggesting it may serve as a biomarker for monitoring myopic changes in children and adolescents. By comparing the changes of SFCT of different degrees of myopia, analyzing the correlation between AL and choroidal thickness, it provides a basis for exploring the relationship between choroidal thickness and myopia.