Purpose: To explore the effect of menstrual cycle on choroidal vascularity index (CVI).
Methods: Thirty six eyes of 36 healthy women were included in this prospective study. The menstrual cycles were regular and ranged from 28 to 30 days in length. Optical coherence tomography images were obtained in 3 different phases of the menstrual cycle. The choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area, luminal area, stromal area, and CVI were quantified.
Results: Mean subfoveal, nasal and temporal CT were significantly changed in mid-luteal phase in comparison to early follicular (p = 0.018, p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively) and ovulatory phases (p = 0.037, p = 0.037, and p = 0.035, respectively). Mean CVI showed a significant change in mid-luteal phase when compared with early follicular (p = 0.001) and ovulatory phases (p = 0.036).
Conclusion: CVI seemed to be affected in mid-luteal phase of menstrual cycle. This should be considered while analyzing choroidal structure in otherwise healthy women.
Keywords: Choroidal vascularity index; choroid; enhanced depth imaging; menstrual cycle.