Three-dimensional choroidal characteristics in different subtypes of central serous chorioretinopathy using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography.

Purpose: To assess choroid vascular characteristics in four subtypes of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) eyes under the new classification system.

Methods: There were 83 subjects in total for analysis including 16 individuals with acute CSC, 13 with non-resolving CSC, 12 with recurrent CSC, 16 with chronic CSC, and 26 healthy control eyes. We utilized the integrated software of SS-OCTA to acquire measurements of the central choroidal thickness (CT), the choriocapillaris perfusion area (CCPA), three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and three-dimensional choroidal vessel volume (CVV). The SNK-q test was conducted for pairwise comparisons among four subgroups of CSC and healthy control eyes. A multiple linear regression model was employed to investigate the relationship between CVI, CCPA and other factors.

Results: CT, CVI, and CCPA of the chronic CSC subgroup were significantly lower than the other three CSC subgroups. Lower CVI was significantly correlated with the subgroup of chronic CSC (β = -0.140, P = 0.016), lower CT (β = 0.0014, P < 0.01), and higher CCPA (β = -0.141, P < 0.01). Lower CCPA was significantly correlated with the subgroup of chronic CSC (β = -0.937, P < 0.01), diabetes (β = -0.118, P = 0.015), higher CVV (β = -0.414, P = 0.014), and higher CVI (β = -0.764, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate the choroidal characteristics of four subtypes of CSC under the new classification system in detail. It seems that chronic CSC displays distinct pathophysiological alterations in choroidal characteristics.

Registration number: NCT05687422.