Retinal and choroidal changes in steroid-associated central serous chorioretinopathy

Background: To evaluate the retinal and choroidal alterations in steroid-associated central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in comparison to idiopathic CSC.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, swept source optical coherence tomography scans of eyes with steroid-associated CSC (group A) were compared with the same in idiopathic CSC (group B). The key features included central subfield retinal thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, subfoveal large choroidal vessel diameter, subretinal deposits, retinal pigment epithelial irregularities, double layer sign, hyperreflective dots, intraretinal fluid, and choroidal vascularity index (ratio of choroidal luminal area and total choroidal area, measured on a high definition horizontal 9 mm OCT B-scan.

Results: There were 20 eyes in group A and 30 in group B. Group A had a higher female proportion (60 vs. 16.67%; P < 0.01) and higher bilaterality (30 vs. 6.67%; P = 0.03). The height of neurosensory detachment was lower in group A (153.1 ± 175.70 µm vs. 312.9 ± 223.06 µm; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of subretinal deposits, retinal pigment epithelial irregularities, pigment epithelial detachments, double layer sign, outer retinal layer disruption, and intraretinal fluid. Hyperreflective dots (HRDs) were less common in group A (15 vs. 46.67%; P = 0.03). The subfoveal choroidal thickness (P = 0.65) and subfoveal large choroidal vessel diameter (P = 0.78) were comparable. There was a trend towards a higher choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in group A (A: mean, 82%, 95% CI, 66-99%; B: mean, 58%, 95% CI, 57-59%; P = 0.10).

Conclusion: Steroid-associated CSC has a marginally higher CVI and less common association with HRDs as compared to idiopathic CSC.