Gerd Auffarth

Intraocular Pharmacokinetics of Aflibercept and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A.

PURPOSEnTo determine intraocular pharmacokinetics of aflibercept and VEGF-A in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) during a treatment period of 6 months.nnnMETHODSnSeven nonvitrectomized patients diagnosed with macular edema secondary to nAMD undergoing intravitreal injections (IVI) of aflibercept. Patients were treatment naïve at least for the last 2 months and received intravitreal injection of 2 mg aflibercept for the first time. Aqueous humor samples were obtained prior to each injection procedure during a 6-month period: three times monthly, then bimonthly. Over all 35 samples were analyzed with ELISA for unbound VEGF-A and a self-developed assay for unbound aflibercept.nnnRESULTSnIn all cases, wet AMD was inactive after IVI. Unbound aflibercept could be detected in all samples. Initial mean concentration of aflibercept was 305.4 ± 43.8 μg/mL and remained stable after the first injection with 0.8 ± 0.5 μg/mL. Initial mean level of unbound VEGF-A was 190.7 ± 26.9 pg/mL. A significant decrease of the concentration to 92.6 ± 10.2 pg/mL (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon rank sum test) after the first injection was observed. This level remained stable during further treatment.nnnCONCLUSIONSnLevels of unbound aflibercept and unbound VEGF-A remained stable after every month and every second month of IVI. The findings of these small case series support suggestions that treatment intervals with bimonthly IVI of aflibercept are sufficient due to a detectable remaining biologic active concentration of aflibercept.

Frequency of dendritiform inflammatory cells in the cornea in herpetic anterior uveitis without clinical keratitis and Fuchs uveitis

BackgroundHerpetic anterior uveitis is a frequent cause of infectious uveitis. A definite diagnosis is obtained by anterior chamber puncture and polymerase chain reaction, an invasive procedure. We hypothesized that patients with herpetic anterior uveitis have a certain pattern of inflammatory cells in their cornea that distinguishes herpetic anterior uveitis from other uveitis types. This study is a prospective, controlled, observational study. Ten patients are with active herpetic anterior uveitis and 14 patients are with Fuchs uveitis syndrome. Patients were imaged with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph with the Rostock Cornea Module attachment. Three images of the subepithelial area of the cornea were evaluated for dendritiform inflammatory cells. Means were calculated and used for analysis. The contralateral unaffected eyes and numbers published in the literature served as controls.ResultsThe number of dendritiform inflammatory cells in herpetic anterior uveitis was compared to that in the Fuchs uveitis syndrome. Of the eyes of patients with herpetic anterior uveitis, 80% had an average of 98.0±10.8 cells/mm2 (mean±standard error of the mean (SEM), n=10) in their affected eyes and 60.4±26.4 cells/mm2, (n=6) in 30% of their fellow eyes. Patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome had moderately elevated dendritiform inflammatory cells (47.0±9.7 cells/mm2, n=14) in 96.4% of their affected eyes and normal numbers (23.0±7.3 cells/mm2, n=13) in 46.4% of their fellow eyes. The difference between the four groups was significant (p=0.0004).ConclusionsPatients with herpetic anterior uveitis had significantly higher levels of dendritiform inflammatory cells in their subepithelial cornea than patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome, which can be detected by in vivo confocal microscopy. The clinically unaffected eyes of herpetic anterior uveitis patients showed a co-response regarding dendritiform inflammatory cell elevation. We conclude that high numbers of dendritiform inflammatory cells in the cornea of uveitis patients may support the clinical diagnosis of herpetic anterior uveitis.

Are lens implant modifications the best way to prevent posterior capsule opacification

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most common complication in intraocular lens surgery, occurring months to years after uncomplicated cataract surgery, and decreasing visual acuity significantly.1–4 A common and objective method to evaluate PCO is the EPCO software developed by Tetz et al ,5 which has become widely accepted for PCO grading.6–11 The pathogenesis of PCO has been studied over several years, and several influential factors have been found. Different causes affect the migration and proliferation of residual lens epithelial cells from the periphery to the central area of the posterior capsular bag, changing light distribution and causing light scattering, and leading to reduced visual function.6–19nnDifferent procedures have been tried to …

Prospective Evaluation of Two iStent® Trabecular Stents, One iStent Supra® Suprachoroidal Stent, and Postoperative Prostaglandin in Refractory Glaucoma: 4-year Outcomes

IntroductionThis study evaluates long-term outcomes of two trabecular micro-bypass stents, one suprachoroidal stent, and postoperative prostaglandin in eyes with refractory openxa0angle glaucoma (OAG).MethodsProspective ongoing 5-year study of 80 eligible subjects (70 with 4-year follow-up) with OAG and IOPxa0≥xa018xa0mmHg after prior trabeculectomy and while taking 1–3 glaucoma medications. Subjects received two iStent® trabecular micro-bypass stents, one iStent Supra® suprachoroidal stent, and postoperative travoprost. Postoperative IOP was measured with medication and annually following medication washouts. Performance was measured by the proportion of eyes withxa0≥xa020% IOP reduction on one medication (the protocol-specified prostaglandin) versus preoperative medicated IOP (primary outcome); and the proportion of eyes with postoperative IOPxa0≤xa015 andxa0≤xa018xa0mmHg on one medication (secondary outcome). Additional clinical and safety data included medications, visual field, pachymetry, gonioscopy, adverse events, visual acuity, and slit-lamp and fundus examinations.ResultsPreoperatively, mean medicated IOP was 22.0xa0±xa03.1xa0mmHg on 1.2xa0±xa00.4 medications, and mean unmedicated IOP was 26.4xa0±xa02.4xa0mmHg. Postoperatively, among eyes without later cataract surgery, mean medicated IOP at all visits through 48xa0months wasxa0≤xa013.7xa0mmHg (≥xa037% reduction), and annual unmedicated IOP wasxa0≤xa018.4xa0mmHg (reductions ofxa0≥xa030% vs. preoperative unmedicated IOP andxa0≥xa016% vs. preoperative medicated IOP). At all postoperative visits among eyes without additional surgery or medication,xa0≥xa091% of eyes hadxa0≥xa020% IOP reduction on one medication versus preoperative medicated IOP. At month 48, 97 and 98% of eyes achieved IOPxa0≤xa015 andxa0≤xa018xa0mmHg, respectively, on one medication. Six eyes required additional medication, no eyes required additional glaucoma surgery, and safety measurements were favorable throughout follow-up.ConclusionIOP control was achieved safely with two trabecular micro-bypass stents, one suprachoroidal stent, and postoperative prostaglandin. This microinvasive, ab interno approach introduces a possible new treatment option for refractory disease.Trial RegistrationNCT01456390.FundingGlaukos Corporation.

Proteome analysis of undiluted vitreous humor in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

ZusammenfassungHintergrundPathophysiologische Mechanismen des Makulaödems infolge eines retinalen Venenverschlusses sind bis dato nicht vollständig geklärt.Ziel der ArbeitDie vorliegende klinisch-experimentelle Studie soll anhand laborchemischer Untersuchungen spezifische Proteine im Glaskörper von Patienten mit Venenastverschluss (VAV) identifizieren und ihre biologischen Funktionen analysieren.Material und MethodenUnverdünnte Glaskörperproben wurden im Rahmen einer Kernvitrektomie von nicht vortherapierten Patienten mit VAV und Kontrollpatienten mit idiopathischen Glaskörpertrübungen entnommen und anhand Massenspektrometrie gekoppelt mit Kapillarelektrophorese (CE-MS) und gekoppelt mit Flüssigkeitschromatographie (LC-MS/MS) untersucht. Signifikant dysregulierte Proteine wurden mit Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) validiert. Grafische Darstellung der Protein-Protein-Interaktionen erfolgte anhand der String-Datenbank.Ergebnisse84xa0Proteine konnten bei 15xa0VAV-Patienten und 15xa0Kontrollen identifiziert werden. 14xa0dieser Proteine wiesen signifikant unterschiedliche Signalintensitäten zwischen beiden Gruppen auf. Sechs Proteine mit Signifikanzniveauxa0<0,001 wurden zusätzlich mit ELISA validiert. Clusterin, Komplementfaktorxa0C3, Prostaglandin-H2-D-Isomerase und Vitronectin waren signifikant hochreguliert, Opticin dagegen runterreguliert. Die String-Analyse zeigte Interaktionen dieser Proteine mit inflammatorischen Kaskaden, Matrixumbau, Signalwegen des Zellüberlebens und -todes.DiskussionDie Dysregulation der genannten Proteine zeigt die komplexen pathophysiologischen Zusammenhänge neben der klinisch bekannten VEGF-Dysregulation bei VAV-Patienten. Die potenzielle diagnostische Bedeutung als Biomarker sollte in weiteren Studien geklärt werden.AbstractBackgroundThe pathophysiological mechanisms of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) remain unclear.ObjectivesTo analyze the protein profile of human vitreous of patients with BRVO and to identify specific dysregulated proteins.Materials and methodsUndiluted vitreous humor samples from patients with treatment naïve BRVO and 15xa0controls with idiopathic floaters were analyzed in this clinical–experimental study using capillary electrophoresis coupled to a mass spectrometer (CE-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Quantitative analysis of the dysregulated proteins was performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein–protein interactions were depicted with the STRING database.ResultsA total of 84xa0proteins were found in the human vitreous samples of 15xa0patients with BRVO and 15xa0controls. Inn all, 14xa0proteins were significant when comparing the signal intensities of BRVO and control samples. Six significantn dysregulated proteins with pxa0< 0.001 were further verified withn ELISA. Clusterin, complement factorxa0C3, prostaglandin-H2 D‑isomerase and vitronectin were significantly upregulated in the BRVO group and opticin was downregulated. The protein interactions analysis showed associations with inflammatory cascades, matrix changes, mechanisms of cell survival und death.ConclusionsThe results of the study reveal that the proteomic composition of vitreous humor differed significantly between the patients with BRVO and the controls. Whether the identified proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for pathophysiology, diagnostics or therapy should be examine in further studies.

Proteomanalyse unverdünnter Glaskörperflüssigkeit bei Patienten mit einem Venenastverschluss

ZusammenfassungHintergrundPathophysiologische Mechanismen des Makulaödems infolge eines retinalen Venenverschlusses sind bis dato nicht vollständig geklärt.Ziel der ArbeitDie vorliegende klinisch-experimentelle Studie soll anhand laborchemischer Untersuchungen spezifische Proteine im Glaskörper von Patienten mit Venenastverschluss (VAV) identifizieren und ihre biologischen Funktionen analysieren.Material und MethodenUnverdünnte Glaskörperproben wurden im Rahmen einer Kernvitrektomie von nicht vortherapierten Patienten mit VAV und Kontrollpatienten mit idiopathischen Glaskörpertrübungen entnommen und anhand Massenspektrometrie gekoppelt mit Kapillarelektrophorese (CE-MS) und gekoppelt mit Flüssigkeitschromatographie (LC-MS/MS) untersucht. Signifikant dysregulierte Proteine wurden mit Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) validiert. Grafische Darstellung der Protein-Protein-Interaktionen erfolgte anhand der String-Datenbank.Ergebnisse84xa0Proteine konnten bei 15xa0VAV-Patienten und 15xa0Kontrollen identifiziert werden. 14xa0dieser Proteine wiesen signifikant unterschiedliche Signalintensitäten zwischen beiden Gruppen auf. Sechs Proteine mit Signifikanzniveauxa0<0,001 wurden zusätzlich mit ELISA validiert. Clusterin, Komplementfaktorxa0C3, Prostaglandin-H2-D-Isomerase und Vitronectin waren signifikant hochreguliert, Opticin dagegen runterreguliert. Die String-Analyse zeigte Interaktionen dieser Proteine mit inflammatorischen Kaskaden, Matrixumbau, Signalwegen des Zellüberlebens und -todes.DiskussionDie Dysregulation der genannten Proteine zeigt die komplexen pathophysiologischen Zusammenhänge neben der klinisch bekannten VEGF-Dysregulation bei VAV-Patienten. Die potenzielle diagnostische Bedeutung als Biomarker sollte in weiteren Studien geklärt werden.AbstractBackgroundThe pathophysiological mechanisms of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) remain unclear.ObjectivesTo analyze the protein profile of human vitreous of patients with BRVO and to identify specific dysregulated proteins.Materials and methodsUndiluted vitreous humor samples from patients with treatment naïve BRVO and 15xa0controls with idiopathic floaters were analyzed in this clinical–experimental study using capillary electrophoresis coupled to a mass spectrometer (CE-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Quantitative analysis of the dysregulated proteins was performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein–protein interactions were depicted with the STRING database.ResultsA total of 84xa0proteins were found in the human vitreous samples of 15xa0patients with BRVO and 15xa0controls. Inn all, 14xa0proteins were significant when comparing the signal intensities of BRVO and control samples. Six significantn dysregulated proteins with pxa0< 0.001 were further verified withn ELISA. Clusterin, complement factorxa0C3, prostaglandin-H2 D‑isomerase and vitronectin were significantly upregulated in the BRVO group and opticin was downregulated. The protein interactions analysis showed associations with inflammatory cascades, matrix changes, mechanisms of cell survival und death.ConclusionsThe results of the study reveal that the proteomic composition of vitreous humor differed significantly between the patients with BRVO and the controls. Whether the identified proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for pathophysiology, diagnostics or therapy should be examine in further studies.

The Zebrafish Anillin-eGFP Reporter Marks Late Dividing Retinal Precursors and Stem Cells Entering Neuronal Lineages

Monitoring cycling behaviours of stem and somatic cells in the living animal is a powerful tool to better understand tissue development and homeostasis. The tg(anillin:anillin-eGFP) transgenic line carries the full-length zebrafish F-actin binding protein Anillin fused to eGFP from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing Anillin cis-regulatory sequences. Here we report the suitability of the Anillin-eGFP reporter as a direct indicator of cycling cells in the late embryonic and post-embryonic retina. We show that combining the anillin:anillin-eGFP with other transgenes such as ptf1a:dsRed and atoh7:gap-RFP allows obtaining spatial and temporal resolution of the mitotic potentials of specific retinal cell populations. This is exemplified by the analysis of the origin of the previously reported apically and non-apically dividing late committed precursors of the photoreceptor and horizontal cell layers.

Unterliegt die Aderhautdicke zirkadianen Schwankungen

ZusammenfassungZielEs erfolgt die Messung der Aderhautdicke im Tagesverlauf bei gesunden Augen zur Untersuchung von Dickenschwankungen.MethodeEs wurden 30 gesunde Augen von 30xa0Probanden zu 6 definierten Untersuchungszeitpunkten innerhalb von 24xa0h untersucht. Die Aderhautdicke wurde mit dem 7-Linien-Scan des Spectralis-OCTs (Heidelberg Engineering) im EDI-Modus untersucht und manuell von 2 unabhängigen Bewertern ausgemessen. Aus den errechneten Mittelwerten wurden die weiteren Berechnungen erstellt.ErgebnisseDie mittlere Aderhautdicke der 30 untersuchten Probanden betrug 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Die Aderhautdickenänderungen vom Baseline-Wert lagen zwischen −u200947xa0µm und +u200941xa0µm. Der Spearman-Korrelationskoeffizient zeigte eine signifikante negative Korrelation zwischen den Baseline-Werten der Aderhautdicke und den Untersuchungszeitpunkten 10:30xa0Uhr, 13:30xa0Uhr und 16:30xa0Uhr. Bei individuell sehr unterschiedlichen Schwankungsmustern konnten keine signifikanten zirkadianen Aderhautdickenänderungen im Mittel nachgewiesen werden. Zwischen Alter und Aderhautdicke lag eine signifikante negative Korrelation vor.SchlussfolgerungSignifikante tageszeitliche Schwankungen der Aderhautdicke waren in unserer Studie nicht nachweisbar. Das Alter der Probanden korrelierte negativ mit der Aderhautdicke.AbstractPurposeMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.MethodsA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24xa0h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.ResultsThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between −u200947xa0µm and +u200941xa0µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.ConclusionsIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.PURPOSEnMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.nnnMETHODSnA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24 h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987 µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between -u200947 µm and +u200941 µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.

Are there diurnal variations in choroidal thickness

ZusammenfassungZielEs erfolgt die Messung der Aderhautdicke im Tagesverlauf bei gesunden Augen zur Untersuchung von Dickenschwankungen.MethodeEs wurden 30 gesunde Augen von 30xa0Probanden zu 6 definierten Untersuchungszeitpunkten innerhalb von 24xa0h untersucht. Die Aderhautdicke wurde mit dem 7-Linien-Scan des Spectralis-OCTs (Heidelberg Engineering) im EDI-Modus untersucht und manuell von 2 unabhängigen Bewertern ausgemessen. Aus den errechneten Mittelwerten wurden die weiteren Berechnungen erstellt.ErgebnisseDie mittlere Aderhautdicke der 30 untersuchten Probanden betrug 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Die Aderhautdickenänderungen vom Baseline-Wert lagen zwischen −u200947xa0µm und +u200941xa0µm. Der Spearman-Korrelationskoeffizient zeigte eine signifikante negative Korrelation zwischen den Baseline-Werten der Aderhautdicke und den Untersuchungszeitpunkten 10:30xa0Uhr, 13:30xa0Uhr und 16:30xa0Uhr. Bei individuell sehr unterschiedlichen Schwankungsmustern konnten keine signifikanten zirkadianen Aderhautdickenänderungen im Mittel nachgewiesen werden. Zwischen Alter und Aderhautdicke lag eine signifikante negative Korrelation vor.SchlussfolgerungSignifikante tageszeitliche Schwankungen der Aderhautdicke waren in unserer Studie nicht nachweisbar. Das Alter der Probanden korrelierte negativ mit der Aderhautdicke.AbstractPurposeMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.MethodsA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24xa0h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.ResultsThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between −u200947xa0µm and +u200941xa0µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.ConclusionsIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.PURPOSEnMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.nnnMETHODSnA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24 h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987 µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between -u200947 µm and +u200941 µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.

Unterliegt die Aderhautdicke zirkadianen Schwankungen?@@@Are there diurnal variations in choroidal thickness?

ZusammenfassungZielEs erfolgt die Messung der Aderhautdicke im Tagesverlauf bei gesunden Augen zur Untersuchung von Dickenschwankungen.MethodeEs wurden 30 gesunde Augen von 30xa0Probanden zu 6 definierten Untersuchungszeitpunkten innerhalb von 24xa0h untersucht. Die Aderhautdicke wurde mit dem 7-Linien-Scan des Spectralis-OCTs (Heidelberg Engineering) im EDI-Modus untersucht und manuell von 2 unabhängigen Bewertern ausgemessen. Aus den errechneten Mittelwerten wurden die weiteren Berechnungen erstellt.ErgebnisseDie mittlere Aderhautdicke der 30 untersuchten Probanden betrug 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Die Aderhautdickenänderungen vom Baseline-Wert lagen zwischen −u200947xa0µm und +u200941xa0µm. Der Spearman-Korrelationskoeffizient zeigte eine signifikante negative Korrelation zwischen den Baseline-Werten der Aderhautdicke und den Untersuchungszeitpunkten 10:30xa0Uhr, 13:30xa0Uhr und 16:30xa0Uhr. Bei individuell sehr unterschiedlichen Schwankungsmustern konnten keine signifikanten zirkadianen Aderhautdickenänderungen im Mittel nachgewiesen werden. Zwischen Alter und Aderhautdicke lag eine signifikante negative Korrelation vor.SchlussfolgerungSignifikante tageszeitliche Schwankungen der Aderhautdicke waren in unserer Studie nicht nachweisbar. Das Alter der Probanden korrelierte negativ mit der Aderhautdicke.AbstractPurposeMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.MethodsA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24xa0h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.ResultsThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987xa0µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between −u200947xa0µm and +u200941xa0µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.ConclusionsIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.PURPOSEnMeasurement of diurnal choroidal thickness in healthy eyes to investigate thickness variations.nnnMETHODSnA total of 30 healthy eyes in 30 subjects were examined at 6 predefined times within 24 h. Choroidal thickness was visualized using the 7-line scan of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and manually measured by two independent observers. For statistical analyses the mean value was calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe mean choroidal thickness was 270u2009±u200987 µm. Choroidal thickness changes from baseline ranged between -u200947 µm and +u200941 µm. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between baseline choroidal thickness and the thickness in examinations at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm with the Spearman correlation test. Due to the large diversity in the individual diurnal fluctuations, a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. There was a significant negative correlation between age and choroidal thickness.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this study a significant diurnal variation of choroidal thickness was not observed. Patient age correlated negatively with choroidal thickness.