Time-periodic characteristics in the morphology of central serous chorioretinopathy evaluated by cube volume scan using spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the time-period characteristics associated with morphologic changes in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using cube volume scans acquired by spectral-domainoptical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

DESIGN: Retrospective, Observational case series.

METHODS: Patients underwent visual acuity measurement, fundus examination, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanin green to angiography (IA), and SD-OCT cube volume scans. Patients were classified into three groups according the onset of subjective symptoms of 6 weeks and 6 months. SD-OCT findings among the three groups were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS: A total of 45 eyes from three groups of 15 patients each were were included in the study. Shallow retinal detachment was observed significantly more in eyes with late chronic CSC than in eyes with acute and early chronic CSC (P=0.001, 0.021, respectively). Shallow irregular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) was observed significantly more in eyes with early chronic CSC than in eyes with acute and late chronic CSC (P=0.035, 0.035, respectively). Flat PED was observed significantly more in eyes with late chronic CSC than in eyes with acute and early chronic CSC (P=0.035, 0.035, respectively). Posterior granulations or subretinal precipitations were observed significantly more in eyes with early chronic and late chronic CSC than in eyes with acute CSC (P=0.021, 0.003, respectively). Fibrinous exudates were observed significantly more in eyes with early chronic CSC than in eyes with acute CSC (P=0.017). Among the three stage groups, there were no differences in a focal defect in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) monolayer at the leakage point on FA, RPE proliferation above the PED, or posterior dragging of the neurosensory retina.

CONCLUSIONS: Detailed investigation of the RPE and outer retina using SD-OCT could help estimate the duration of CSC.