Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Ophthalmology, cilt.46, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Purpose: To investigate the peripapillary (p) and subfoveal (sf) choroidal vascular index (CVI) parameters in newly diagnosed major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted on 50 patients with newly diagnosed MDD and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy participants. All participants underwent an ophthalmological examination, and their demographic characteristics were recorded. Choroidal images obtained from the HD-line optical coherence tomography sections of both groups were analyzed in both the foveal and peripapillary regions.Choroidal thickness measurements were obtained, and choroidal vascular parameters were determined using a specialized free software program.These parameters included the luminal choroidal area (LCA), stromal choroidal area (SCA), and total choroidal area (TCA).The ratio of LCA to TCA was defined as CVI. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups concerning choroidal thickness, optic disc head measurements, or peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p > 0.05 for all).In the MDD group, the sfLCA was 0.11 ± 0.04 mm2 and the pLCA was 0.12 ± 0.03 mm2, whereas in the control group, these measurements were 0.16 ± 0.05 mm2 and 0.16 ± 0.02 mm2, respectively (p = 0.003 and p = 0.005,respectively).The sfCVI values were 0.61 ± 0.03 in the MDD group and 0.74 ± 0.03 in the control group, while the pCVI values were 0.64 ± 0.04 in the MDD group and 0.71 ± 0.03 in the control group (p < 0.001).The TCA and SCA values were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusion: The findings highlight the significance of these current, non-invasive, rapid, and reproducible indices obtained through choroidal imaging for elucidating the etiopathogenesis and diagnosis of MDD,a disorder considered to have a neurodegenerative component.