EARLY CHANGES IN FOVEAL THICKNESS IN EYES WITH CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

Purpose: To investigate when and how fast the foveal thinning occurs in central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods: Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured in 60 eyes of 60 patients with active central serous chorioretinopathy. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the duration of symptoms; within 1 month (Group A, 25 eyes), 1 to 6 months (Group B, 17 eyes), and >6 months (Group C, 18 eyes). Outer nuclear layer thickness and visual acuity were compared between each group. Some of the patients underwent several examinations and serial changes were analyzed. Results: The ONL thickness was correlated with the duration of symptoms (R = -0.61, P < 0.001). Visual acuity was worse in Group C compared with Group A (P = 0.003). The mean ONL thickness of each group and healthy contralateral eyes was 82.4, 70.2, 53.5, and 89.3 mu m, respectively. Comparisons between each group showed statistical significances. Seventeen eyes in Group A were re-examined between 3 and 6 months after the first visit. The mean ONL thickness significantly decreased from 81.9 mu m to 75.0 mu m (P = 0.020). Conclusion: In central serous chorioretinopathy, ONL thinning starts in the early stage and may continue as long as the subretinal fluid persists. RETINA 33:296-301, 2013