Morphologic Changes in the Foveal Photoreceptor Layer before and after Laser Treatment in Acute and Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Documented in Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose . To analyze microstructural changes in the external limiting membrane (ELM) and photoreceptor layer before and after early and late conventional laser treatment in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in 12 months follow-up study. Methods . A retrospective observational study included Group A: 19 patients (19 eyes) with symptomatic acute CSC and Group B: 16 patients (16 eyes) with symptomatic chronic CSC. Retinal microstructural changes were analyzed with SD-OCT paying a particular role in examining the photoreceptor layer and ELM. Results . The length of the photoreceptors, prior to treatment, was approximately 84  μ m in Group A and 82,5  μ m in Group B. Twelve months after laser treatment, photoreceptor length was approximately 49  μ m in Group A and 43  μ m (range 20–55  μ m) in Group B. No patients in Group A had noticeable photoreceptor defects nor ELM defects, but in 15 eyes in Group B photoreceptor and ELM defects were detected ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions . When analyzing the photoreceptor layer and ELM during active CSC, it is not possible to evaluate any irreversible changes which have already occurred in this layer. Damage to the photoreceptor layer and ELM in patients with chronic CSC was only found after laser treatment and the absorption of subretinal fluid.