Aging Eye Transforming into Tree of Life

Seeing Clearly Through the Years: How Age Impacts Your Eye's Inner Workings

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"New research sheds light on how the choriocapillaris, a crucial eye structure, changes with age, potentially impacting vision and overall eye health."

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, some more noticeable than others. While wrinkles and gray hair are visible signs of aging, many internal changes also occur. One such area of change involves the choriocapillaris (CC), a dense network of blood vessels crucial for nourishing the outer retina and maintaining healthy vision. Understanding how aging affects the CC can provide valuable insights into preserving eye health.

The choriocapillaris is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors—the cells responsible for capturing light and enabling us to see. This intricate network ensures the RPE and photoreceptors function optimally, thereby keeping our vision sharp and clear. However, like other parts of our body, the CC is subject to age-related changes that can impact its function.

Recent advancements in imaging technology, particularly optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), have allowed researchers to visualize and quantify changes in the CC with unprecedented detail. This non-invasive technique provides high-resolution images of the retinal and choroidal vasculature, enabling a better understanding of how the CC is affected by aging and various eye conditions.

What the Study Reveals About Aging and the Choriocapillaris

Aging Eye Transforming into Tree of Life

A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology delved into the quantitative changes in the aging choriocapillaris using swept-source OCTA. The researchers aimed to analyze OCTA parameters, including perfusion density (PD), vessel length density (VLD), and vessel diameter index (VDI), in healthy subjects across different age groups. This observational cross-sectional study included 72 eyes of 72 patients, with a mean age of 47.4 years.

The study revealed several significant findings. Firstly, the mean PD was statistically lower in the foveal region (the central part of the macula responsible for sharp, detailed vision) compared to the parafoveal region. Secondly, in subjects aged 70-80, the PD of the foveal region was significantly reduced compared to the perifoveal region. This suggests that the central area of the CC is more susceptible to age-related changes.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key parameters studied:

Perfusion Density (PD): The ratio of the area occupied by vessels to the total area, indicating blood flow.
Vessel Length Density (VLD): The total length of vessels divided by the total number of pixels, reflecting vessel quantity.
Vessel Diameter Index (VDI): The average vessel calibre, calculated by dividing PD by VLD, indicating vessel size.

Furthermore, the study identified a strong negative correlation between PD and aging in the foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions. This means that as age increases, the perfusion density in these areas decreases. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between VLD and age, but VDI was strictly correlated with age, indicating that the diameter of the vessels decreases with age. This suggests that the reduction in perfusion is more related to a decrease in vessel size than a decrease in the number of vessels.

What This Means for Your Eye Health

The findings of this study highlight the importance of understanding how the choriocapillaris changes with age. By recognizing that the central area of the CC is more susceptible to age-related changes, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their vision. Regular eye exams, a healthy lifestyle, and awareness of potential risk factors can all contribute to maintaining optimal eye health as you age. The ultimate goal is to detect and manage age-related changes early, thereby preserving clear vision and a high quality of life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313004, Alternate LINK

Title: Quantitative Changes In The Ageing Choriocapillaris As Measured By Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Subject: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Journal: British Journal of Ophthalmology

Publisher: BMJ

Authors: Riccardo Sacconi, Enrico Borrelli, Eleonora Corbelli, Luigi Capone, Alessandro Rabiolo, Adriano Carnevali, Marco Casaluci, Francesco Gelormini, Lea Querques, Francesco Bandello, Giuseppe Querques

Published: 2018-10-25

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is the choriocapillaris, and why is it so important for our vision as we age?

The choriocapillaris (CC) is a dense network of blood vessels located in the eye. It plays a vital role in nourishing the outer retina, specifically the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. These photoreceptors are essential as they capture light, enabling us to see. Therefore, the choriocapillaris is crucial for maintaining healthy and clear vision.

How does optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) help us understand age-related changes in the eye?

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging technique. It allows researchers to visualize and quantify changes in the choriocapillaris (CC) with great detail. OCTA provides high-resolution images of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. This enables a better understanding of how the CC is affected by aging and various eye conditions. This technology is invaluable for early detection and monitoring of age-related changes in the eye.

What specific parameters related to the choriocapillaris were measured in the British Journal of Ophthalmology study, and what do these measurements indicate?

The study published in the *British Journal of Ophthalmology* assessed parameters such as perfusion density (PD), vessel length density (VLD), and vessel diameter index (VDI). Perfusion density (PD) indicates blood flow by measuring the ratio of the area occupied by vessels. Vessel length density (VLD) reflects vessel quantity by calculating the total length of vessels. Vessel diameter index (VDI) indicates vessel size, derived by dividing PD by VLD. The study found that the central area of the choriocapillaris is more susceptible to age-related changes.

What correlations were found between perfusion density, vessel length density, vessel diameter index, and aging within the choriocapillaris?

The study showed a negative correlation between perfusion density (PD) and aging in the foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions, indicating that as age increases, blood flow in these areas decreases. While vessel length density (VLD) did not significantly correlate with age, vessel diameter index (VDI) did, showing that the diameter of the vessels decreases with age. This suggests the reduction in perfusion is related more to a decrease in vessel size than a decrease in vessel number.

What are the practical implications of understanding age-related changes in the choriocapillaris, and what steps can be taken to maintain optimal eye health?

Understanding how the choriocapillaris changes with age allows for proactive steps to protect vision. Knowing that the central area of the choriocapillaris is more susceptible to age-related changes, regular eye exams, a healthy lifestyle, and awareness of risk factors become even more critical. Early detection and management of these changes are essential for preserving clear vision and maintaining a high quality of life as one ages. Further research could explore interventions to improve perfusion density and maintain vessel diameter, potentially mitigating age-related vision decline. Also other factors such as genetics and environmental impact need to be explored.