Influence of Serum Uric Acid on Macular Choroidal Thickness and Ganglion Cell Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of serum uric acid (UA) on macular choroidal and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled adult individuals in communities in Guangzhou, China. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. They were divided into four groups according to UA quartiles. The choroidal and GC-IPL thickness was measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). RESULTS: A total of 719 subjects (1389 eyes) were included in the study. The average UA was 348.50 ± 86.16 mmol/L. The average choroidal and GC-IPL thickness decreased with UA quartiles (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that UA was negatively associated with average choroidal (β = −0.073, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.117 to −0.028, P = 0.001) and GC-IPL thickness (β = −0.006, 95% CI = −0.009 to −0.002, P = 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the average choroidal thickness was decreased in quartile 4 as compared with quartile 1 by −14.737 µm (95% CI = −24.460 to −5.015, P = 0.003). The average GC-IPL thickness was decreased in quartile 4 versus quartile 1 by −1.028 (95% CI = −1.873 to −0.290, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Higher UA levels were independently associated with macular choroid and GC-IPL thinning. These contribute to a better understanding of ocular pathological mechanisms. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The associated UA with choroidal and GC-IPL thickness helps to understand the ocular pathological and retinal neurodegenerative mechanism.