Distinctive Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Indocyanine Green Angiography Imaging Patterns in Topiramate-Induced Choroidal Effusion

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001538. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe novel findings seen on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in a young male patient presenting with bilateral topiramate-induced choroidal effusion.

Methods: Retrospective case report. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was conducted and multimodal imaging techniques, including B-scan ultrasound, OCT, OCTA, and ICGA were analyzed.

Results: A male in his 30s presented with a myopic shift due to bilateral choroidal effusion induced by a medication containing topiramate prescribed for weight loss. ICGA showed multiple hypofluorescent spots within the choroid corresponding to areas of reduced OCTA flow signal in both the inner and deeper en face choroidal slabs. Symptoms and abnormal imaging findings resolved within five days of discontinuing the medication.

Conclusion: Findings observed with OCTA and ICGA together suggest multifocal reversible areas of reduced choroidal vascular flow occurring in a topiramate-induced choroidal effusion. We propose that this transient hypoperfusion is due to compression from deeper choroidal vessels with a congested choroid.