Choroidal thickness as a clinical marker in differentiating peripheral retinoschisis and retinal detachments

AimTo determine the value of central choroidal thickness (CCT) as a clinical marker in differentiating peripheral retinoschisis (PRS) and macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (mac-on RRD).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, eyes with PRS from January 2012 to May 2021 and mac-on RRD from January 2017 to January 2019 were identified. Macular pathology was exclusionary. CCT was classified as thin, normal, or thick for all eyes. Primary outcomes assessed the proportion of eyes within each diagnostic category with thin, normal, and thick CCT.ResultsOne-hundred and sixty eyes with PRS and 59 eyes with mac-on RRD were identified. Thick (65.6%) or normal (25.0%) CCT was noted in 90.6% of eyes with PRS, while only 9.4% had thin CCT. Thin (52.5%) or normal (30.5%) CCT was noted in 83.0% of eyes with mac-on RRD, whereas only 17.0% had thick CCT's. Thick CCT was significantly observed in PRS (p < 0.0001), while thin CCT was significantly observed in mac-on RRD (p < 0.0001).ConclusionIn the absence of known refractive error or axial length, CCT may serve as a useful and readily available diagnostic tool when attempting to distinguish between two often clinically similar retinal pathologies - PRS and mac-on RRD.