Fundus Tessellation: Prevalence and Associated Factors: The Beijing Eye Study 2011.

PURPOSE

To examine the prevalence of fundus tessellation and its associated factors.

DESIGN

Population-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

The Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6±9.8 years (range, 50-93 years).

METHODS

Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. By using 45° color fundus photographs of the macula and optic disc, fundus tessellation, defined as variation in the visibility of the large choroidal vessels, was differentiated into 3 grades.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fundus tessellation.

RESULTS

Assessment of fundus tessellation was available for 3442 individuals (99.6%) or 6789 eyes (98.6%). In multivariate analysis, a higher degree of fundus tessellation (mean, 0.84±0.79) was associated with older age (P 0.10) associated with fundus tessellation. In a reverse manner, thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness was associated with a higher degree of fundus tessellation (P < 0.001; beta, -0.49) in the multivariate analysis. Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased from 322±90 μm (95% confidence interval [CI], 317-327) in eyes without fundus tessellation to 229±80 μm in eyes with grade 1, to 122±52 μm in eyes with grade 2, and to 81±37 μm in eyes with grade 3 of fundus tessellation.

CONCLUSIONS

Fundus tessellation is a surrogate for choroidal thinness and may be a clinical sign for a leptochoroid. After adjusting for ocular and systemic parameters, fundus tessellation also is associated with a larger parapapillary beta zone and higher glaucoma prevalence, and a lower prevalence of intermediate and late AMD. Its association with lower visual acuity warrants further investigation.