Retinal Pigment Epithelial Features in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Identified by Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE To determine the subclinical RPE lesions detected by tissue selective polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to compare PS-OCT findings to current imaging standards. METHODS In this prospective observational case series, individuals with unilateral or bilateral active CSC were imaged using PS-OCT at baseline and after resolution of serous retinal detachment. Features seen on PS-OCT were compared with corresponding lesions as seen on conventional, intensity-based spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Features of RPE evaluated by PS-OCT were as follows: area and volume of pigment epithelium detachment (PED), presence of RPE aggregations, RPE skip lesions, RPE thickening, and RPE atrophy. RESULTS Twenty-five study eyes and 23 fellow eyes of 25 participants (2 women, 23 men; mean age ± standard deviation = 40.5 ± 7.4 years) were included and followed for 6.1 ± 3 months. Study eyes and fellow eyes with recurrent CSC showed more RPE abnormalities in PS-OCT than eyes with acute CSC, which correlated well with lesions in ICGA. Closure of the leakage site was observed only in eight (32%) eyes after resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF). All study eyes showed widespread RPE aggregates and 23 (92%) eyes showed RPE skip lesions after resolution of SRF. CONCLUSIONS Features of RPE indicative of previous episodes of CSC detected by PS-OCT correspond well to choroidal lesions in ICGA. In addition, noninvasive PS-OCT imaging enables detection of RPE microrips and aggregations invisible to clinical examination or SD-OCT, thus providing valuable information about disease processes in vivo.