Evaluation of the choriocapillaris after photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. A review of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) studies.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Emerging evidence suggests that choroidal microcirculation and microstructural changes after verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) can be shown in detail using OCT-Angiography (OCT-A). The use of OCT-A for the examination of choriocapillaris (CC) has attracted significant attention as the technique offers potential explanations for the effects of vPDT on choroidal tissue.

METHODS:

A meticulous literature search was performed in the PubMed database without restriction on year of publication until June 2021. The reference list of all electronically retrieved articles was carefully reviewed for potentially relevant articles that had not been identified.

RESULTS:

We identified and reviewed 11 studies reporting a comprehensive update on microvasculature and morphologic changes of the CC layer as seen on OCT-A in chronic CSC. The reviewed articles extensively analyze both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the CC flow pattern after applying vPDT safety-enhanced protocols. The changes in the CC plexus indicate the potential of beneficial or deleterious treatment effect on choroidal tissue remodeling. The reviewed series have revealed variability of flow pattern, vessel density, and perfusion of the CC over time.

CONCLUSION:

The CC plexus alterations during the post-vPDT period in chronic CSC may imply the treatment effect on choroidal tissue, indicating the potential of anatomical or functional recovery over time. The reviewed literature may confirm the diagnostic value of OCT-A in the assessment of the pathophysiology of eyes with CSC.

• Authors: Evita Evangelia Christou, Panagiotis Stavrakas, Vassilios Kozobolis, Andreas Katsanos, Ilias Georgalas, Maria Stefaniotou
• Journal: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol) Vol. 260 Issue 6 Pg. 1823-1835 (Jun 2022) ISSN: 1435-702X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 35044503 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Verteporfin

Topics

• Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Choroid (blood supply)
• Chronic Disease
• Fluorescein Angiography (methods)
• Humans
• Photochemotherapy (methods)
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Tomography, Optical Coherence (methods)
• Verteporfin (therapeutic use)
• Visual Acuity