Correlation between outer retinal layer thickness and cone density in patients with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE

We aimed to observe photoreceptors and outer retinal layer thickness by using an adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

METHODS

Twelve eyes of 12 patients with resolved CSC were studied. After subretinal fluid (SRF) had resolved, AO images of the macula were obtained by using the rtx1 AO fundus camera (Imagine Eyes, France). Cones in the nasal and temporal areas of the macula, 0.5 mm from the foveal center, were counted. Outer retinal layer thickness was measured as the distance between the outer border of external limiting membrane (ELM) and the inner border of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at 0.5 mm from the foveal center. The first measurement was performed after resolution of the subretinal fluid and was defined as the baseline. Then, the second measurement was performed in the same location after 12 months.

RESULTS

In the eyes with resolved CSC, the mean logMAR values of visual acuity at baseline and 12 months were 0.16 and 0.01, respectively (p = 0.0023). The mean cone densities at baseline and 12 months were 12,213 and 17,146 cones/mm, respectively. The mean cone densities at 12 months were significantly increased compared to baseline (p = 0.0014). The mean outer retinal layer thickness at baseline (53.5 μm) was significantly thinner than that at 12 months (60.7 μm) (p = 0.0013). The mean cone densities were significantly correlated with outer retinal layer thickness and logMAR visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptive optics imaging revealed a gradual increase in the number of macular cone densities during 12 months in patients with resolved CSC, which was correlated with outer retinal layer thickness and visual acuity in a short term.