Evaluation of choroidal hyperreflective dots in acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

To determine the association between hyperreflective dots (HRD) in the choroid and visual acuity and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT)-derived structural parameters in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

SS-OCT images (single visit) of consecutive patients with CSC were evaluated for the presence of HRDs in the choroid using an automated algorithm and manual measurements of central macular and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were obtained.

61 eyes of 61 subjects were included in this retrospective study (32 subjects with acute and 29 with chronic CSC). Mean (± SD) choroidal HRD counts in acute and chronic CSC were 139.4 ± 29.9 and 124.9 ± 28.1, respectively (P = 0.04). In acute CSC, HRD was correlated with both age (P = 0.004) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) (P = 0.016), but not with visual acuity or other OCT-derived measurements. In chronic CSC, HRD was correlated with central macular thickness (P = 0.011); neurosensory detachment height (P = 0.046); SFCT (P = 0.012). Considering all patients, the presence of HRDS was significantly negatively correlated with age (r = -0.401; P= 0.002) and SFCT (r = -0.332; P= 0.010).

HRDs are correlated with both age and SFCT in acute CSC, and with CMT, height of neurosensory detachment and SFCT in chronic CSC. Development of HRDS is associated with the remodelling of chorioretinal structures as previously noted in CSC.