Photopigments in central serous chorioretinopathy

To investigate functional abnormalities in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Observational case series.

Sixteen eyes with CSC were enrolled. Autofluorescence densitometry was performed to measure the optical density of the photopigments. Serial fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were obtained by Heidelberg Retina Angiogram 2. We calculated the autofluorescence optical density difference from the FAF images. To compare the distribution pattern of autofluorescence optical density difference to the findings of outer retina, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed in the acute phase and after resolution of CSC.

The autofluorescence optical density difference decreased at the serous retinal detachment (SRD) in all 16 eyes. After resolution, the photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS) was irregular in 13 eyes and defective in 3 eyes on SD-OCT. The autofluorescence optical density difference did not improve in any eyes. Five eyes were reexamined 3 month after resolution. In 4 of the 5 eyes, SD-OCT showed that the IS/OS was well delineated and 1 eye defective. The autofluorescence optical density difference improved in 2 of the 4 eyes, but not in the other 2 eyes. In the 1 eye without well-delineated IS/OS, the autofluorescence optical density difference did not improve.

In eyes with CSC, the photopigment density decreased at the SRD. The density remained decreased immediately after resolution and showed delayed recovery. The photopigments decreased even in eyes with morphologic recovery of the outer retina.