Analysis of choriocapillaris perfusion and choroidal layer changes in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy randomised to micropulse laser or photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the signal changes in choriocapillaris flow deficits and choroidal thickness changes using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) following different treatments. Design A double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Methods Patients with unilateral chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) were randomised to receive subthreshold micropulse laser therapy (MLT) or half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). Choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris flow deficit signals were investigated. Results Eighteen patients were randomised into the MLT group and 15 patients into the PDT group. Areas with flow deficit signals were identified in all baseline OCTA images of the choriocapillaris, with mean areas of 0.420 and 0.465 mm2 in the MLT and PDT groups, respectively. These flow deficit signal areas were significantly reduced at 6 months (p=0.011) in the MLT group and at 3 months (p=0.008) in the PDT group. Patients from the PDT group were shown to have smaller flow deficit areas than patients from the MLT group at all time points after treatment (p=0.001, analyses of variance). The mean choroidal volume of the fovea showed a significant reduction at 1 month (p=0.003), 3 months (p=0.199) and 6 months (p=0.006) in the PDT group. Conclusion The flow deficit areas identified in the choriocapillaris layer may suggest possible relative choroidal ischaemia. With measurement of choroidal volume reduction and faster rates of flow deficit area change, PDT has a stronger effect than MLT in promoting choriocapillaris recovery.