Choroidal imaging biomarkers

摘要： The choroid is the vascular coat of the eye,and its role has been studied in multiple chorioretinal disorders. The recent advancements in choroidal imaging techniques including enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), swept source (SS-OCT), enface OCT and OCT angiography have facilitated an in-depth analysis of choroid. The gradual shift from manual to automated segmentation and binarization methods have led to precise and reproducible measurements of choroidal parameters. These qualitative and quantitative parameters, called choroidal imaging biomarkers, have evolved over the past decade from a simple linear subfoveal choroidal thickness to more complex 3 dimensional (3-D) choroidal reconstruction thus widening the spectrum encompassing multiple parameters. These biomarkers have provided a better understanding of the pathogenesis, are helpful in diagnostic dilemmas, and in future may also help to devise treatment options. The lack of normative data, absence of standardized parameters and limitations of the imaging techniques, however, have led to ambiguity and difficulty in the interpretation of these variables. We attempt to address these lacunae in the literature and provide a basic understanding of the choroid in both health and disease using these choroidal biomarkers.