Characterization of punctate inner choroidopathy using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is an inflammatory condition affecting the retina and choroid.
• Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of the posterior eye.
• Understanding the morphological changes in PIC is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively and quantitatively analyze retinal and choroidal morphology in patients with punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
• To identify potential indicators of subclinical inflammation and disease activity.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study of 35 eyes from 35 patients with clinically inactive PIC.
• Qualitative assessment of PIC lesions for retinal and choroidal features using EDI-OCT.
• Quantitative analysis of retinal and choroidal layer thickness.
• Examination of associations between morphology, clinical data, and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Ninety PIC lesions showed focal atrophy (46.6%), sub-RPE hyperreflective deposits (34.4%), or RPE elevation with hyporeflective space (18.8%).
• Inner choroidal hyperreflective dots were present in 68.5% of patients; focal choroidal thinning was observed in 17.1%.
• In non-highly myopic eyes, atypical PIC had reduced retinal thickness compared to typical PIC (P=0.04), and longer disease duration correlated with decreased retinal thickness (P=0.01).

Conclusions:

• One-fifth of PIC lesions showed RPE elevation with a hyporeflective space, suggesting subclinical inflammation.
• Retinal thickness is associated with PIC disease type and duration in non-highly myopic eyes.
• EDI-OCT facilitates noninvasive assessment of inflammatory status in PIC.