Does Choroidal Melanocytes Affect Choroidal Thicknesses in Patients with Vitiligo?

Abstract Background: Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease and considered to be an autoimmune, neural, and autocytotoxic pathophysiology in which mainly the melanocytes in the epidermis are focused and destroyed. Therefore, alterations in the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium are expected, and there are very few publications using modern technology in research of this subject. Objectives This prospective observational study aimed to examine the optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroidal thickness in patients with vitiligo by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). This single-center prospective cross-sectional study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with vitiligo and 42 eyes of 42 healthy individuals. The RNFL thickness, choroidal thickness, and optic disc parameters (rim area, disc area, and cup volume) were compared between the two groups. Results: The study consisted of 21 female and 19 male in the vitiligo group, and 21 female and 21 male in controls; no difference was found in gender distribution between two groups (p=0.836). Vitiligo and control groups had similar optic disc parameters, and RNFL and choroidal thicknesses; so the differences in the mentioned parameters did not differ statistically (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion: Vitiligo patients’ optic disc parameters, and RNFL and choroidal thicknesses did not differ from those in healthy individuals. Based on unknown pathogenesis, the melanocytes at the choroidal region may have compensatory mechanisms in vitiligo.