Choroidal observations in posterior scleritis using high-penetration optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Posterior scleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the choroid.
• Accurate assessment of choroidal morphologic changes is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• High-penetration optical coherence tomography (HP-OCT) with a 1,060 nm light source was used to visualize choroidal changes in two patients with posterior scleritis.
• Patient 1 showed initial subfoveal choroidal thickness of 418 μm with serous retinal detachment (SRD), which resolved with prednisolone treatment.
• Patient 2 exhibited fluctuating choroidal thickness (279 μm to 321 μm) with recurrent inflammation in the left eye, eventually resolving with treatment.

Findings:

• Significant choroidal thickening and morphologic alterations are characteristic of posterior scleritis.
• HP-OCT effectively visualizes deep choroidal pathologies, including serous retinal detachment.
• Choroidal thickness demonstrated a recovery trend following successful treatment of posterior scleritis.

Implications:

• HP-OCT is a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring posterior scleritis and other posterior uveitis conditions.
• Understanding choroidal changes aids in assessing disease severity and treatment response.
• This study highlights the dynamic nature of choroidal morphology in response to inflammation and treatment.