Focal choroidal excavation-morphological features and clinical correlation

PurposeTo describe and correlate the morphological and clinical features of focal choroidal excavation (FCE).MethodsThis is a consecutive case series from the review of the 4436 optical coherence tomography scans performed by Kowloon East Cluster Ophthalmic Service from 1 August 2014-31 January 2016. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS 18.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). A significance level of P<0.05 was taken.ResultsAll 16 patients with FCE had unilateral involvement. The mean age of diagnosis was 52.56±14.00. The mean greatest linear dimension (GLD) of FCE was 636.25±265.11 μm. The mean choroidal thickness was 183.63±52.39 μm. Fourteen FCEs (87.5%) were conforming and two were non-conforming (12.5%). In the eyes with FCE, concurrent macular pathology was present in four cases (25.0%). Tractional pathologies of macular pucker and macular scar corresponded to the two non-conforming FCEs in the series. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and lacquer crack had a close topographic relationship with the FCE. The mean GLD was significantly larger in eyes with concurrent macular pathology than those without (878.00 vs 555.67 μm, P=0.029). In the fellow eyes, concurrent macular pathology was present in 5 cases (31.3%): PCV in 3 cases and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy in 2 cases.ConclusionAs a significant proportion of FCE is associated with concurrent macular pathology in the involved or fellow eye, angiography for both eyes is recommended even for asymptomatic cases. The GLD of FCE may have clinical value in risk stratification.