Early alterations in retinal microvasculature on swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in acute central serous chorioretinopathy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the retinal blood flow in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) over an observational period of 1 month using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCTA), focusing especially on changes in the area of subretinal fluid (A-SRF). We correlated these findings with conventional indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). ICGA and SS-OCTA images were collected and analyzed of 12 eyes of 12 patients. The A-SRF was annotated and a qualitative analysis of choriocapillaris, the vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) of the retinal superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) was performed in A-SRF and the unaffected remaining area (RA). The VD and PD in the DCP were statistically significantly lower in A-SRF than in the RA at baseline. (VD: p=0.014; PD: p=0.036). After 1 month, there was a statistically significant difference in the VD and PD of the DCP (VD: p=0.015; PD: p=0.014), and for the PD of the SCP between the A-SRF and the RA (p=0.015), with lower values in the A-SRF. We found low perfused areas in choriocapillaris corresponding to hypofluorescent areas on ICGA. In conclusion there is a difference in VD and VD of the DCP in the area of SRF in acute CSC. These alterations may lead to a chronic change in the microvasculature and potentially to morphological changes.

Automated summary

The study evaluated retinal blood flow in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCTA) over a one-month period. Changes in the area of subretinal fluid (A-SRF) were observed, with differences in vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) of the retinal capillary plexus noted. These alterations may lead to chronic changes in microvasculature and potential morphological changes.