Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (763 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The thin, highly vascular membrane covering most of the posterior of the eye between the retina and sclera.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Choroids; Sattler Layer; Sattler's Layer; Haller's Layer; Haller Layer; Choriocapillaris.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Uvea
- Narrower topics
- Bruch Membrane
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 17,637 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Choroid” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 4,259 of them (24.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 6,818 records.
Reviews account for 951 records (5.4%) and meta-analyses for 62. Randomized controlled trials number 281 (1.6%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 6,818 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,980 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,580 |
| 2020 onward | 4,259 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 951 | 5.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 62 | 0.4% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 281 | 1.6% |
Method: PubMed query "Choroid"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pachychoroid disease: review and update | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 73 | cc by PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466 |
| Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 28 | cc by PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308 |
| Choroidal thinning in myopia is associated with axial elongation and severity of myopic maculopathy | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 39080368 · DOI · PMC11289249 |
| Bibliometric and visualized analysis of the therapeutic application of suprachoroidal space from 2000 to 2024 | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 40919954 · DOI · PMC12825562 |
Pachychoroid disease: review and update [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The pachychoroid disease spectrum is a phenotype characterized by alterations in choroidal vasculature which result in outer retinal and choriocapillaris damage and visual loss.
- Closing excerpt
- We have summarized notable treatment trials in central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and included an update of the current diagnostic and management strategies of the entities that are part of the pachychoroid disease spectrum.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (148 words)
The pachychoroid disease spectrum is a phenotype characterized by alterations in choroidal vasculature which result in outer retinal and choriocapillaris damage and visual loss. The presence of pachyvessels is one of the key features of the pachychoroid phenotype. Recent imaging studies suggest that pachyvessels may form because of choroidal venous congestion in one or more quadrants. The formation of intervortex anastomosis may function as a compensatory mechanism to dissipate the increased venous pressure, while outflow obstruction has been hypothesized to occur at the site of the vortex vein exiting the sclera. This review aims to summarize recent imaging findings and discuss evolution in the understanding of pathogenesis of the pachychoroid disease spectrum. We have summarized notable treatment trials in central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and included an update of the current diagnostic and management strategies of the entities that are part of the pachychoroid disease spectrum.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466
Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common disorder characterized by serous retinal detachment.
- Closing excerpt
- This review summarizes updated information on the close relationship between CSC pathogenesis and the sclera.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (165 words)
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common disorder characterized by serous retinal detachment. Several studies using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have revealed that choroidal filling delay, choroidal vascular dilation, and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability are the characteristic findings of CSC. These ICGA findings confirm that choroidal circulatory disturbances are the primary factors in the pathogenesis of CSC. With advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT), choroidal thickness has been found to be significantly greater in eyes with CSC than in normal eyes. Dilated large choroidal vessels reportedly account for the thickened choroid in eyes with CSC. Although many possible mechanisms and risk factors have been suggested, the pathophysiologic features of choroidal circulatory disturbances and choroidal thickening in eyes with CSC have not yet been fully elucidated. Recently, using anterior segment OCT, we proposed that the sclera may induce choroidal circulatory disturbances since CSC eyes have significantly thicker sclera than do normal eyes. This review summarizes updated information on the close relationship between CSC pathogenesis and the sclera.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308
Choroidal thinning in myopia is associated with axial elongation and severity of myopic maculopathy [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- High myopia can lead to pathologic myopia and visual impairment, whereas its causes are unclear.
- Closing excerpt
- Thinner choroidal thickness was associated with axial elongation based on the baseline axial length.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (206 words)
High myopia can lead to pathologic myopia and visual impairment, whereas its causes are unclear. We retrospectively researched high myopia cases from patient records to investigate the association between axial elongation and myopic maculopathy. Sixty-four eyes were examined in patients who visited the department between July 2017 and June 2018, had an axial length of 26 mm or more, underwent fundus photography, and had their axial length measured twice or more. The average axial length was 28.29 ± 1.69 mm (mean ± standard deviation). The average age was 58.3 ± 14.4 years old. Myopic maculopathy was categorized as mild (grades 0 and 1) and severe (grades 2, 3, and 4). The severe group had longer axial lengths than the mild group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the severe group exhibited thinner choroidal thickness than the mild group (P < 0.05). When subjects were grouped by axial elongation over median value within a year, the elongation group showed thinner central choroidal thickness than the non-elongation group (142.1 ± 91.9 vs. 82.9 ± 69.8, P < 0.05). In conclusion, in patients with high myopia, the severity of maculopathy correlated with choroidal thickness and axial length. Thinner choroidal thickness was associated with axial elongation based on the baseline axial length.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39080368 · DOI · PMC11289249
Bibliometric and visualized analysis of the therapeutic application of suprachoroidal space from 2000 to 2024 [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivesTo provide a bibliometric overview of the global research on the therapeutic applications of the suprachoroidal space (SCS) from 2000 to 2024.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThis study maps the global research landscape and emerging trends on the therapeutic applications of the SCS, underscores its translational nature, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration in this evolving field.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (244 words)
ObjectivesTo provide a bibliometric overview of the global research on the therapeutic applications of the suprachoroidal space (SCS) from 2000 to 2024.MethodsPublications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using a defined search strategy. A total of 776 articles were analyzed for trends in publication volume, countries, institutions, authorship, journals, citations, and keywords. An analysis of top 10% highly cited publications was also conducted. Co-authorship, co-occurrence, and citation burst analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, bibliometrix (R), and CiteSpace.ResultsGlobal publications on SCS therapy increased steadily, with a 575% growth. The United States led in output (n = 274, 35.3%) and international collaboration. Top institutions included the University of Melbourne, Bionics Institute, and Osaka University. Fujikado Takashi was the most prolific author (34 publications), while Prausnitz Mark R R had the highest citation impact (50 per article). Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science was the most active journal (n = 50; 2249 citations). Keyword analysis revealed three main clusters: (1) drug delivery, (2) glaucoma treatment, and (3) retinal prosthesis. Overlay map indicated that research foci have shift from implantation to injection, minimally invasive approach, and clinical trials. Burst keywords showed suprachoroidal drug delivery (including gene therapy, ranibizumab, and triamcinolone acetonide) was a rapidly evolving and promising field for innovation, which was confirmed by analysis of high-impact publications.ConclusionsThis study maps the global research landscape and emerging trends on the therapeutic applications of the SCS, underscores its translational nature, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration in this evolving field.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40919954 · DOI · PMC12825562
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article The multifunctional choroid [5]
- Research article Proposed lexicon for anatomic landmarks in normal posterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: the IN•OCT consensus [6]
- Research article Pachychoroid disease [7]
- Research article Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Definition, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management [8]
- Research article OCT angiography and evaluation of the choroid and choroidal vascular disorders [9]
- Research article Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy [10]
References
- Cheung CMG, Dansingani KK, Koizumi H, Lai TYY, Sivaprasad S, Boon CJF, et al.. Pachychoroid disease: review and update. . 2025. PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466
- Koizumi H, Imanaga N, Terao N. Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far. . 2024. PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308
- Midorikawa M, Mori K, Torii H, Tomita Y, Zhang Y, Tsubota K, et al.. Choroidal thinning in myopia is associated with axial elongation and severity of myopic maculopathy. . 2024. PMID 39080368 · DOI · PMC11289249
- Jin K, Meng L, Yang J, Zhao C, Chen Y. Bibliometric and visualized analysis of the therapeutic application of suprachoroidal space from 2000 to 2024. . 2026. PMID 40919954 · DOI · PMC12825562
- Nickla DL, Wallman J. The multifunctional choroid. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2010. PMID 20044062 · DOI · PMC2913695
- Staurenghi G, Sadda S, Chakravarthy U, Spaide RF, International Nomenclature for Optical Coherence Tomography (IN•OCT) Panel. Proposed lexicon for anatomic landmarks in normal posterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: the IN•OCT consensus. Ophthalmology. 2014. PMID 24755005 · DOI
- Cheung CMG, Lee WK, Koizumi H, Dansingani K, Lai TYY, Freund KB. Pachychoroid disease. Eye (Lond). 2019. PMID 29995841 · DOI · PMC6328576
- Cheung CMG, Lai TYY, Ruamviboonsuk P, Chen SJ, Chen Y, Freund KB, et al.. Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Definition, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. Ophthalmology. 2018. PMID 29331556 · DOI
- Borrelli E, Sarraf D, Freund KB, Sadda SR. OCT angiography and evaluation of the choroid and choroidal vascular disorders. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2018. PMID 30059755 · DOI
- Ciardella AP, Donsoff IM, Huang SJ, Costa DL, Yannuzzi LA. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Surv Ophthalmol. 2004. PMID 14711438 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.