Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is one of the representative pachychoroid spectrum disease. Although fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography can be used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of CSC, they are invasive examinations, which may bring certain risks in clinical application and cannot help us obtain quantitative parameters. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as a non-invasive and quantitative examination, is an important imaging tool for understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CSC. With the advancement of OCTA, the swept-source OCTA has a satisfying scanning depth, a wider scanning range and a higher resolution. The development of OCTA broadens the horizons of the pathogenesis of CSC, promotes the understanding of the pathophysiology of CSC, and sheds new light for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Based on OCTA, the choroid and retina in eyes with CSC are presented with qualitative and quantitative changes in vascular system. OCTA-guided CSC treatment and the discovery of prognostic markers based on OCTA challenge the application of traditional imaging techniques in CSC. With the continuous improvement and progress of OCTA technology, traditional angiography combined with OCTA will bring great benefits to the diagnosis and treatment of CSC. This review summarizes the quantitative application of OCTA in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CSC.
Objective To quantitatively evaluate the changes of choroidal biomarkers in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and preliminarily explore its pathogenesis. MethodsClinical cross-sectional study. From July 2021 to December 2022, 74 eyes of 65 patients with CSC (CSC group) confirmed by ophthalmic examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Among them, 46 patients (51 eyes) were male, 19 patients (23 eyes) were female. The duration from the onset of symptoms to the time of treatment was less than or equal to 3 months. A control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers (74 eyes) matched in age and gender. Among them, 26 patients (50 eyes) were male, and 14 patients (24 eyes) were female. Using VG200D from Microimaging (Henan) Technology Co., Ltd., macular scanning source light coherence tomography angiography was performed, with scanning range 6 mm × 6 mm. According to the division of the diabetes retinopathy treatment research group, the choroid within 6 mm of the macular fovea was divided into three concentric circles centered on the macular fovea, namely, the central area with a diameter of 1 mm, the macular area with a diameter of 1-3 mm, and the surrounding area of the fovea with a diameter of 3-6 mm. The device comes with software to record the three-dimensional choroidal vascular index (CVI), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), perfusion area of the choroidal capillary layer (CFA), choroidal thickness (CT), and three-dimensional CVI, CVV, and CT in the upper, temporal, lower, and subnasal quadrants within 6 mm of the fovea. Quantitative data between the two groups were compared using an independent sample t-test. Qualitative data comparison line χ2 inspection. The value of receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis in predicting the occurrence of CSC, including CVI, CVV, CFA, and CT. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CVI (t=3.133, 4.814), CVV (t=7.504, 9.248), and CT (t=10.557, 10.760) in the central and macular regions of the affected eyes in the CSC group significantly increased, while the CFA (t=－8.206, －5.065) significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05); CVI (t=7.129), CVV (t=10.020), and CT (t=10.488) significantly increased within 6 mm of the central fovea, while CFA (t=－2.548) significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). The CVI (t=4.980, 4.201, 4.716, 8.491), CVV (t=9.014, 7.156, 7.719, 10.730), and CT (t=10.077, 8.700, 8.960, 11.704) in the upper, temporal, lower, and lower nasal quadrants within 6 mm of the central fovea were significantly increased, with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). In the CSC group, the maximum CVI and CVV were (0.39±0.10)% and (1.09±0.42) mm3, respectively, on the nasal side of the affected eye. Upper CT was (476.02±100.89) μm. The nasal side CVI, CVV, and CT have the largest changes. The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve of CT, CVV, and CVI within 6 mm of the central region, macular region, and fovea was over than 0.5. Subcentral CT was the most specific for the diagnosis of CSC. ConclusionChoroidal biomarkers CVI, CVV, and CT in CSC patients increase, while CFA decreases. Central CT is the most specific for the diagnosis of CSC.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of 30% and 50% dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) for acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA retrospective cohort study. Ninety-two eyes of 88 patients with CSC, diagnosed by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), indirect ophthalmoscope, fundus colorized photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)and optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) treated with 30% and 50% doses of verteporfin respectively between March 2007 and August 2013, were enrolled. The eyes were divided into 50% dose group (49 eyes) and 30% dose group (43 eyes). The differences of age (t=-1.45), gender (χ2=0.011), eyes (χ2=2.140), mean logMAR BCVA (t=-0.40), mean central retinal thickness (CRT) and the maximum thickness of serous retinal detachment (SRD) between two groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The difference of spot size between two groups was significant (t=-2.84, P < 0.05). The follow-up time was ranged from 6 to 68 months, with a mean of (17.16 ±11.30) months. The difference of follow-up between two groups was significant (P > 0.05). The BCVA, cure rate, recurrence rate and the changes of CRT and maximum SRT were observed by SD-OCT. ResultsThe subretinal fluid (SRF) of 31 eyes (72.09%) in the 30% dose group and that of 47 eyes (95.92%) in the 50% dose PDT group was absorbed completely respectively. The cure rates in the 30% dose PDT group was significantly less than that in the 50% dose group (χ2=10.077, P=0.020). There was a significant negative association between the cure rate and spot size by Logistic regression (odds ratio > 1, P=0.040). The difference of changes in the BCVA of logMAR in 50% dose group was better than that in 30% dose group after more than 12 months after PDT (P=0.036). On 3, 6, 12 and more than 12 months after PDT, the difference in CRT in 50% dose group and 30% dose group were not statistically significant (P=0.068, 0.060, 0.082, 0.067). The difference in maximum thickness of SRD was not statically significant (P > 0.05). SRF was appeared in 8 eyes (25.81%) of 31 eyes in the 30% dose group, while SRF was appeared in 1 eye (2.13%) of 47 eyes in the 50% dose group. The recurrence rate of 30% dose group was much higher than that of 50% dose group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsFor acute CSC treated by PDT, the curative effect of 50% dose group is better than the 30% dose group.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of chorioidal thickness (ChT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in different mode of vortic venous dilation. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional observational study. A total of 80 patients with 89 eyes (CSC group) diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command from April to October 2023 were included in the study. Among them, 64 males had 71 eyes and 17 females had 18 eyes. A total of 15 healthy volunteers matched in age and sex were selected as the control group. Among them, 14 men had 26 eyes and one woman had two eyes. The macular region was examined by ultra-wide-angle scanning frequency source optical coherence tomography (OCTA) with BM400K BMizar made by TowardPi (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., LTD. Scanning rate 1 536 A scanning×1 280 B scanning, scanning range 24 mm×20 mm. The accompanying software delineated nine subfields (superotemporal, upper, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, lower, inferonasal regions) to record ChT. En-face OCTA mode was utilized to observe the anatomy and functional anastomosis of the vortex veins above and below the choroidal blood layer. Eyes in the CSC group were further categorized into upper-dominant, symmetrical, and lower-dominant groups based on the difference in vortex vein expansion shown in the choroidal layer of the en-face image, with 36, 35, and 18 eyes respectively. Statistical analysis included the use of independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney test for comparison between two groups, one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test for comparison between multiple groups, and the χ test or Fisher test for categorical variables. ResultsCompared with the control group, ChT in the CSC group was thickened in the foveal area and different areas of the macula, with the greatest difference in the fovea, and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.345, 5.018, 2.902, 4.667, 7.276, 3.307, 3.868, 4.795, 2.583; P＜0.05). Compared with the ChT of the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in the superotemporal, region of the upper-dominant group (t=1.510, P＞0.05); in other regions, the differences were statistically significant (t=3.207, 5.163, 2.526, 4.310, 6.285, 2.656, 3.812, 2.173; P＜0.05). The differences in the foveal area and other areas in the symmetrical group were statistically significant (t=4.488, 5.554, 3.457, 5.314, 7.256, 3.507, 5.584, 6.019, 2.994; P＜0.05). In the superotemporal, and superonasal, regions of the lower dominant group, the differences were not statistically significant (t=1.150, 1.465; P＜0.05); in other regions, the differences were statistically significant (t=2.278, 4.168, 5.244, 2.783, 5.040, 3.432, 2.095; P＜0.05). ConclusionThe dilated distribution of vortex veins on en-face ultra-wide-angle OCTA has a corresponding relationship with ChT. In eyes with CSC, the superior vortex vein drainage system may be the primary route for choroidal drainage.
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in microperimetry between acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsCross-sectional cases study. A consecutive series of 208 patients (221 eyes) with CSC diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into acute group (136 patients, 143 eyes) and chronic group (72 patients, 78 eyes) according to the duration and FFA. There were no statistical difference in sex (χ2=0.012, P=0.912) and mean age (t=-1.492, P=0.137) between two groups. All eyes received the examination of microperimetry and minimum resolution angle in logarithmic (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The mean retinal sensitivities (MS) and fixation rate in the central 2°(P1) and 4° (P2) were determined. ResultsThe mean value of logMAR BCVA in acute group and chronic group were 0.32±0.23 and 0.48±0.33, there was significant difference (Z=-3.353, P=0.001). In acute group and chronic group, the MS were (21.25±5.06) and (15.82±7.23) dB, P1 were (76.36±25.78)% and (55.01±32.34)%, P2 were (92.21±13.06)% and (79.83±23.11)%. There were statistical differences in MS (Z=-5.456, P < 0.001), P1 (Z=-4.629, P < 0.001) and P2 (Z=-4.265, P < 0.001) between two groups. In acute group, fixation was stable in 98 eyes (68.5%), relative unstable in 30 eyes (21.0%), unstable in 15 eyes (10.5%). In chronic group, fixation was stable in 30 eyes (38.5%), relative unstable in 22 eyes (28.2%), unstable in 26 eyes (33.3%). The difference of fixation between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=23.196, P < 0.001). ConclusionMS, fixation rate and fixation stability in chronic CSC eyes were all decreased compared with acute CSC eyes.
ObjectiveTo analyze the associations between the choroidal vasculature and submacular fluid (SMF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 29 CSC patients (31 eyes) with complete records who visited the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University People's Hospital from August 1, 2021 to March 1, 2023 were included in this study. The patients were divided into complete absorption and incomplete absorption groups according to the status of SMF in the last visit. All the patients underwent ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF SS-OCTA) with a scanning range of 24 mm × 20 mm. The UWF SS-OCTA images were automatically analyzed in 9 regions (superotemporal, superior, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, inferior, and inferonasal). Alterations of choroidal vasculature in the nine subfields after SMF absorption were described, including choroidal thickness (CT), flow density of choriocapillaris layer, vessel density of large choroidal vessel layer, three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (CVI), the mean choroidal vessel volume (mCVV), and the mean choroidal stroma volume (mCSV). The relevant factors affecting the complete absorption of SMF were additionally evaluated. ResultsAt baseline, CT (Z=2.859, P=0.004), mCVV (t=2.514, P=0.018), and mCSV (Z=2.958, P=0.003) in the superotemporal region of the affected eyes in the incomplete absorption group were significantly higher than those in the complete absorption group. Compared with baseline, at the last visit, the proportion of asymmetric vortex veins in the complete absorption group was significantly decreased (χ2=6.000, P=0.014), CVI in the superotemporal, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal regions (t=－4.125, t=－3.247, Z=－3.213, t=－2.994, t=－3.417, t=－3.733, t=－3.795; P=0.001, 0.006, 0.001, 0.010, 0.005, 0.003, 0.002), the mCVV of 9 regions (t=－2.959, t=－2.537, t=－2.235, t=－3.260, t=－3.022, t=－2.796, t=－2.747, Z=－2.107, t=－2.935; P=0.011, 0.025, 0.044, 0.006, 0.010, 0.015, 0.017, 0.035, 0.012) were significantly decreased. Compared to the complete absorption group, the choroidal blood flow changes in the non-complete absorption group were more limited, and CT in the upper region increased significantly at the last follow-up (t=2.272, P=0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline CT in the superotemporal region may be an independent risk factor affecting the complete absorption of SMF (odds ratio=0.981, 95% confidential interval 0.965-0.997, P=0.021). ConclusionsIn the process of SMF absorption in CSC, significant reductions of choroidal blood flow were found in the large choroidal vessel layer, and there may be a locally compensatory increase in CT. In addition, baseline CT in superotemporal region is an independent risk factor affecting SMF absorption.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods35 eyes (35 patients) with chronic (or recurrent) CSC treated with half-dose verteporfin PDT. Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) were measured before and after treatment (1, 3 and 6 months). The mean BCVA was 0.28±0.22, mean CMT was(384.5±85.0)μm. The situation of subretinal fluids (SRF) absorption was observed. ResultsIn 35 eyes, SRF of 29 eyes (82.9%) completely absorbed and 6 eyes (17.1%) not completely absorbed after one month of treatment. SRF of all eyes (100.0%) completely absorbed after three months of treatment. After 6 months of treatment, SRF of 3 eyes (8.6%) were recurrence, which might be completely absorbed when a half-dose maintenance therapy PDT was used again. The mean BCVA significantly improved to 0.14±0.13 at 1 months, 0.05±0.11 at 3 months and 0.05±0.12 at 6 months after PDT (t=5.410, 7.830, 7.758; P < 0.05). The mean CMT decreased to (224.3±61.4) μm at 1 months, (199.6±32.7) μm at 3 months and (205.3±39.6) μm at 6 months after PDT (t=11.856, 11.781, 11.900; P < 0.05). The mean CMT of controlled 32 eyes after treatment was (198.5±33.9) μm, much lower than the fellow eyes(232.3±17.5) μm (t=-3.988, P < 0.05). ConclusionsHalf-dose verteporfin PDT was safe and effective in treating chronic CSC, but may cause thinning of CMT.
Objective To observe the anastomotic status of the vortex veins in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA cross-sectional study of clinical practice. From July 2021 to July 2022, 50 cases (50 eyes) of monocular CSC patients diagnosed through ophthalmic examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. Among them, there were 37 males (74.0%, 37/50) and 13 females (26.0%, 13/50), with the mean age of (44.30±9.59) years old. The course of disease from the onset of symptoms to the time of treatment was less than 3 months. The affected eye and contralateral eye of CSC patients were divided into the affected eye group and contralateral eye group, respectively. Fifty healthy volunteers of the same age and gender were selected as the normal control group with 50 eyes. The macular area scanning source optical coherence tomography (OCT) vascular imaging examination was performed with Visual Microimaging (Henan) Technology Co., Ltd. VG200D. Horizontal watershed vortex veins anastomosis rate and asymmetric vortex-venous dilation rate were observed by en face OCT. The device comes with software to calculate the central foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), mean choroidal thickness (MCT), and choroidal vascular index (CVI). One-way analysis of variance and χ2 test were used to compare the three groups. When variances were unequal between groups, nonparametric tests were performed. ResultsThe SFCT values of the affected eye group, contralateral eye group, and normal control group were (567.12±129.02), (513.26±133.17), (327.64±97.40) μm, respectively; MCT were (407.38±97.54), (388.24±94.13), (275.46±60.55) μm, respectively; CVI were 0.34±0.05, 0.32±0.04, and 0.27±0.04, respectively; anastomosis rates of vortex veins were 98% (49/50), 78% (39/50), and 40% (20/50), respectively; asymmetric dilation rates of vortex veins were 96% (48/50), 88% (44/50), and 48% (24/50), respectively. The differences of SFCT (F=53.974), MCT (Z=51.415), CVI (F=28.082), vortex vein anastomosis rate (χ2=43.056), asymmetric dilation rate of vortex veins (χ2=37.728) among three groups were statistically significant (P＜0.001). Compared with the contralateral eye group, the SFCT, MCT, CVI, vortex vein anastomosis rate, and vortex vein asymmetric dilation rate in the affected eye group were significantly higher than those in the contralateral eye group. Among them, the differences of SFCT (t=2.054), CVI (t=2.211), and vortex vein anastomosis rate (χ2=9.470) were statistically significant (P＜0.05); the differences of MCT (Z=7.490), asymmetric dilation rate of vortex veins（χ2=2.714) were not statistically significant (P=1.000, 0.140). ConclusionsSFCT, MCT, and CVI in the affected and contralateral eyes of monocular CSC patients significantly increase. The anastomotic rate and asymmetric dilation rate of the vortex vein in the opposite eye were lower than those in the affected eye.
ObjectiveTo observe the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).MethodsFrom October 2016 to December 2018, 50 cases of CSC patients (CSC group) and 50 healthy people (control group) matched by age and sex who were diagnosed in the ophthalmological examination of Xi’an No.3 Hospital were included in the study. According to the course of the disease, CSC was divided into acute phase and chronic phase, with 20 and 30 cases respectively. The average age (Z=1.125) and body mass index (BMI) (Z=0.937) of the two groups were compared, and the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05); the age of patients with different courses of CSC (Z=1.525) and gender composition ratio (χ2=0.397) and BMI (Z=1.781) were compared, the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The Berlin questionnaire was used to assess the OSAS risk of subjects in the CSC group and the control group; polysomnography was used to monitor the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and minimum blood oxygen saturation (MOS) during night sleep. OSAS diagnostic criteria: typical sleep snoring, daytime sleepiness, AHI (times/h) value ≥ 5. The severity of OSAS was classified as mild OSAS: 5≤AHI＜15; moderate OSAS: 15≤AHI＜30; severe OSAS: AHI≥30. Non-normally distributed measurement data were compared by rank sum test; count data were compared by χ2 test. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on the correlation between OSAS and CSC.ResultsThe AHI data in the CSC group and the control group were 17.46±3.18 and 15.72±4.48 times/h, respectively; the MOS were (83.48±4.68)% and (87.40±3.82)%, respectively; those diagnosed with OSAS were respectively 36 (72.00%, 36/50) and 13 (26.00%, 13/50) cases. AHI (Z=0.312), MOS (Z=0.145), and OSAS incidence (χ2=21.17) were compared between the two groups of subjects, and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.028, 0.001,＜0.001). The AHI of acute and chronic CSC patients were 15.95±3.02 and 18.47±2.92 times/h; the MOS were (86.10±11.07)% and (81.73±4.58)%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in AHI (Z=0.134) and MOS (Z=0.112) in patients with different course of disease (P=0.005, 0.001). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that OSAS and CSC were positively correlated (r=0.312, P=0.031).ConclusionOSAS may be a risk factor for the onset of CSC.
ObjectiveTo observe the safety and effectiveness of targeted navigation laser with continuous wave threshold power in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CCSC).MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From November 2018 to June 2020, 28 eyes of 28 patients with CCSC diagnosed in the Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included in the study. Among them, there were 17 males with 17 eyes and 11 females with 11 eyes; all of them had a monocular disease. The average age of the patients was 36.24±5.14 years, and the average course of the diseases was 4.7±1.3 months. All affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein fundus angiography, fundus autofluorescence, frequency domain optical coherence tomography and angiography, multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) and micro field inspection. BCVA was carried out using the international standard visual acuity chart, which was converted into the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. A targeted navigation laser system was used for continuous wave power therapy under the threshold. Two weeks and 1, 3 months after treatment, the same equipment and methods as before treatment were used to perform related examinations to observe the BCVA, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), foveal retinal thickness (CMT), the mean light sensitivity (MS) in the 10° range of the macular center, and the amplitude density of P1 wave at ring 1 and 2. The t test was used to compare CMT, SFCT, retinal amplitude density and MS before and after treatment.ResultsBefore treatment and 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after treatment, the average logMAR BCVA of the eyes were 0.74±0.16, 0.57±0.16, 0.22±0.05, 0.21±0.06, and the average CMT was 512.33±31.56, 350.40±36.61, 256.49±22.38, 253.45±23.65 μm respectively, the average SFCT was 462.82±25.38, 462.37±39.54, 461.51±29.36, 461.25±34.55 μm, the average MS was 16.32±5.41, 17.53±4.23, 19.52±4.12, 21.35±2.77 dB respectively. At different times before and after treatment, BCVA (t=6.52, 5.71, 6.01; P=0.00, 0.00, 0.00), CMT (t=3.08, 6.57, 4.90; P=0.01, 0.00, 0.00), SFCT (t=7.01, 6.54, 4.85; P=0.08, 0.07, 0.17), MS (t=6.17, 4.25, 5.46; P=0.02, 0.00, 0.00), the difference was statistically significant. The amplitude density of P1 wave at ring 1 in the affected eye was 64.37±18.25, 85.31±13.98, 98.35±14.52, 98.40±22.17 nV/deg2, and the amplitude density of P1 wave at ring2 was 36.12±18.32, 44.02±17.15, 62.35±14.85, 63.17±15.79 nV/deg2. The amplitude density of P1 wave at ring 1 (t=5.11, 9.03, 4.27; P=0.03, 0.00, 0.00) and ring 2 (t=5.11, 9.03, 4.27; P=0.03, 0.00, 0.00) before and after treatment showed statistical significance.ConclusionTargeted navigation laser continuous wave threshold power treatment for CCSC can increase the BCVA, macular retinal amplitude density and macular foveal MS, and reduce CMT and SFCT.