Retinal fingerprint pattern in central serous chorioretinopathy

To evaluate the prevalence of retinal fingerprint pattern (RFP) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and its association with the anatomical and clinical characteristics of the disease.

In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we included patients with active chronic and acute CSCR. The presence and distribution of RFP was evaluated based on macular 6-mm optical coherence tomography angiography scan pattern. To display RFP structural en face projections of a slab between two segmentation lines of the outer plexiform layer 20 µ m apart, set at the border between outer plexiform and outer nuclear layers were used. Correlation between the presence of RFP and clinical and demographical parameters and anatomical outcomes was evaluated.

After evaluation of 120 CSCR eyes, 22 eyes (18.3%) with RFP were identified. The presence of RFP was associated with higher baseline best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, subretinal fluid (SRF) height, the degree of neurosensory retina bending at the edge of the neurosensory detachment, and the area of the neurosensory detachment ( P < 0.05). Complete SRF resolution, either spontaneously or after laser treatment, was observed in 68.2% eyes with RFP and 36.8% eyes without RFP ( P = 0.03). No cases demonstrated RFP after resolution of SRF.

Using en face optical coherence tomography imaging RFP can be observed in a significant proportion of CSCR eyes. The presence of RFP is associated with a higher amount of SRF and more favorable anatomical outcomes. The RFP in CSCR resulted from mechanical deformation of the retina by SRF and has a reversible character.