Effect of periocular thermotherapy on choroid: binarization processing analysis using optical coherence tomography image

Abstract

The purpose of this study was the effect of periocular thermotherapy on the choroid. Our subjects were 20 healthy volunteers. We used a heatable steam eye mask with a wet heat of 40℃, which was worn for a period of 10 minutes. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), choroidal tomography was performed: before heating, immediately after heating, and 10 minutes after heating. At the same time, the pupil was used to measure the autonomic response, and the visual analogue scale was used to measure eye fatigue. The OCT image is subjected to binarization processing, and the choroid area (C) and luminal area (L) were identified. C and L were both increased immediately after heating compared to before (C: p<0.05; L: p<0.01). In addition, the increase in C and L persisted 10 minutes after heating compared to before heating (p<0.05). The pupil exhibited miosis immediately after and 10 minutes after heating compared to before (p<0.01).The eye fatigue decreased after heating compared to before heating (p<0.01). The periocular thermotherapy increased the choroid area by activating the parasympathetic nerve through the somatosensory.