Evaluation of Reflectivities of RPE, ELM, EZ, and Their Relationship With Subretinal Fluid Properties in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the reflectivity of the outer retinal layers (ORLs) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and to examine the relationship between the dimensions of the subretinal fluid (SRF) and ORL.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 33 eyes of 33 patients with CSCR and 33 age- and gender-matched controls. Unnormalized and relative reflectivities for the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the external limiting membrane (ELM), and the ellipsoid zone (EZ), as well as SRF height, base width, and area, were measured on optical coherence tomography images. Reflectivity measurements for each retinal layer were performed at three anatomic locations (foveal center, nasal, and temporal regions, 1 mm apart), and the average of these three values was used to calculate average reflectivity (RPEav, EZav, ELMav).

Results: RPEav, EZav, and ELMav were lower in patients with CSCR (P < 0.001). In the pigment epithelium detachment (PED) group, EZn and EZav were significantly lower than in the non-PED group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.013, respectively). A negative correlation was observed between SRF base width and EZav (P = 0.018) and ELMav (P = 0.021). SRF area was negatively correlated with both EZav (P = 0.049) and ELMav (P = 0.025). RPEc was negatively correlated with SRF elevation (P = 0.016).

Conclusions: This study reveals novel associations between SRF dimensions, PED presence, and outer retinal layer damage in CSCR. Monitoring ORL reflectivity changes may provide insights into disease pathogenesis and help evaluate treatment efficacy.