Choroidal blood flow changes in central serous chorioretinopathy

This study investigates the impact of choroidal blood flow on pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and subretinal fluid (SRF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). We categorized CSC patients into groups with and without PED, alongside healthy controls. Using SS-OCT, we measured the three-dimensional choroidal vascular index (CVI), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), SRF and PED area and volume, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and choroid thickness beneath the highest point of PED (PED-ct). Image-J was utilized to analyze flow void area (FVa) and flow void area percentage (FV%) in the choriocapillary. Results indicated that SFCT, CVI, CVV, FVa, and FV% were significantly higher in CSC patients compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, CSC patients with PED exhibited a greater three-dimensional CVI than those without PED (P < 0.05). Within CSC patients, FV% positively correlated with SRF area, CVV, and SFCT. In the PED group, CVV positively correlated with PED-ct, FVa, FV%, and both PED and SRF area. Thus, the presence of PED and SRF in CSC is associated not only with low choriocapillary blood flow but also with increased vascular density and the expansion of Sattler and Haller layers.