Changes in Choroidal Thickness and Structure in Preeclampsia with Serous Retinal Detachment

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder associated with various complications.
• Serous retinal detachment (SRD) is a rare but significant ocular manifestation of preeclampsia.
• Understanding the ocular pathophysiology of preeclampsia is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical features of preeclampsia-associated serous retinal detachment (SRD).
• To analyze choroidal layer thickness and vascularity in patients with preeclampsia and SRD.
• To evaluate the changes in choroidal morphology during the resolution of SRD in preeclampsia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of seven pregnant women hospitalized for preeclampsia with SRD.
• Analysis of clinical records, fundus examinations, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.
• Measurement of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), choroidal inner and outer layer thickness, and choroidal vascular index (CVI).

Main Results:

• All thirteen affected eyes showed SRD that resolved without specific ocular treatment.
• Significant reduction in mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) from 424.4 μm to 286.0 μm (p < 0.01).
• Significant decrease in choroidal outer layer thickness and choroidal vascular index (CVI) (p < 0.01), indicating reduced vascularity and thickening.

Conclusions:

• Serous retinal detachment in preeclampsia is associated with significant choroidal thickening, particularly in the outer layer and luminal area.
• Choroidal changes, including thickening and increased vascularity, are reversible and resolve with preeclampsia management.
• Ocular monitoring and understanding choroidal dynamics are important in managing preeclampsia-related visual disturbances.