Evaluation of Macular Thickness, Choroidal Thickness, and Choroidal Vascular Index in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Observational Study

AIM: To investigate the ocular effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in reproductive-age women, specifically focusing on macular thickness, choroidal thickness, and the Choroidal Vascular Index (CVI). METHODS: A comparative study was conducted with forty-five diagnosed PCOS patients and forty-five sex-matched healthy volunteers. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was used to measure choroidal and macular thicknesses. The innovative Choroidal Vascular Index (CVI) was utilized to identify potential vascular alterations in the choroid. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and regression models, were performed to interpret the data and discern differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The data showed that the PCOS group had a significant increase in choroidal thickness at specific measurement points compared to the control group (p<0.05). Differences were also observed in the total choroidal area and luminal area in the PCOS group. CVI values presented significant variations between the two groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference observed in the retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PCOS appears to influence ocular health, especially in the choroidal region, which may be attributed to the vasodilation effects of estrogen. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive ocular evaluations in PCOS patients. Healthcare professionals should consider these potential ocular manifestations while managing and advising patients with PCOS. Further research is needed to elucidate the broader implications of these findings.