Choroidal Volume Evaluation after Photodynamic Therapy Using New Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Algorithm

To evaluate choroidal volume and thickness changes after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Chronic CSC eyes with a history of PDT were selected. Average choroidal volume, average choroidal thickness, the maximum and minimum choroidal thickness of the macula irradiated area and peripheral non-irradiated areas before and after one and three months of treatment were examined. A total of 14 patients with chronic CSC and 9 controls without any eye pathology were enrolled. The mean choroidal volume in CSC before and, and after one and three months of treatment were 2.36 (standard deviation: 0.70), 1.90 (0.69), 1.86 (0.66) mm(3) for the central area, 1.25 (0.38), 1.14 (0.35), 1.13 (0.34) mm(3) for superior nasal area, 1.47 (0.41), 1.28 (0.43), 1.26 (0.43) mm(3) for superior temporal area, 1.07 (0.49), 0.95 (0.38), 0.93 (0.35) mm(3) for inferior nasal area, 1.17 (0.38), 1.04 (0.32), 1.03 (0.33) mm(3) for inferior temporal area. This study revealed the choroidal volume changes in a short period after PDT and a decrease in unirradiated choroidal volume was also shown after the treatment. The algorithm provided on the ARI Network enables to evaluate the choroidal changes quantitatively and qualitatively.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the changes in choroidal volume and thickness after PDT treatment in patients with chronic CSC, showing a significant decrease in choroidal volume in the non-irradiated area after treatment. The algorithm provided on the ARI Network allows for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of choroidal changes.