The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and is expressed in the retina and choroid. MR antagonist (MRA) has a long history of application in non-ophthalmic clinical practice. Various cellular and animal models indicated that inappropriate activation of MR participated in pathological angiogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, disturbance of ion/water homeostasis and neurodegenerative changes, while the application of MRA can reduce or reverse these pathological processes. After using MRA in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) patients, improved visual function, less subretinal fluid and reduced sub-foveal choroidal thickness were observed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in MR and plasma aldosterone levels were significantly different between chronic CSC patients and CSC patients with spontaneous remission. Novel formulation for sustained-release MRA and the mechanisms involving inflammation may become the new focus of MR study. This review summarizes the research status of MR and MRA in order to provide a reference for future basic research and clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo quantitatively analyze the changes of choroidal capillaries in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CCSC) before and after half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT).MethodsA retrospective cohort study. Nineteen patients (21 eyes) with CCSC were enrolled in this study from November 2017 to September 2018 in People’s Hospital of Wuhan University. Among them, there were 14 males (15 eyes) and 5 females (6 eyes), with diseases course over than 6 months. All patients underwent half-dose PDT. Twenty normal subjects (40 eyes) matched with age and sex in CCSC group were taken as controls. The subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured by Heidelberg depth enhanced imaging-OCT before and after PDT treatment in CCSC patients and in normal subjects. Spectral-domain OCT (Retina map) and Angio-OCT angiography (3 mm×3 mm) were arranged for all subjects at the same time. Macular fovea retinal thickness (CMT) was recorded under OCT-Retina map mode, and Angio-OCT 3 mm×3 mm choroidal capillary images were binarized using Image J software, and calculating the area ratio of low pixel area as flow signal void (FSV). BCVA, spectral-domain OCT and Angio-OCT were performed 1 week and 1, 3 months after PDT with the same equipment and methods before PDT. The changes of CMT, SFCT, FSV and BCVA in CCSC patients before and after PDT treatment were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between FSV and SFCT, age.ResultsThe average CMT, SFCT and FSV in CCSC patients increased significantly compared with the controls (P＜0.05). The average SFCT and FSV in CCSC patients 3 months after treatment were higher and the average CMT decreased compared with the controls (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000). Comparison before and after PDT in CCSC patients: there were significant differences in average CMT, SFCT and FSV before and after PDT (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000). Post Hoc multiple comparisons showed that the average CMT (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000) and FSV (P=0.010, 0.000, 0.000, 0.001, 0.000) decreased significantly in all time points except for 1 month and 3 months after treatment, so as the average FSV (P=0.788, 0.702). The average SFCT decreased 1 month and 3 months after treatment compared with the baseline (P=0.024, 0.008), and there was no significant difference between before treatment and 1 week after treatment (P=0.162), and between 1 month and 3 months after treatment (P=0.687). The correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between FSV and age in CCSC patients (r=0.052, P=0.822), but there was a correlation between FSV and age in controls (r=0.716, P=0.000).ConclusionQuantitative analysis of OCTA showes the degree of choriocapillary ischemia in the form of FSV in CCSC patients decreased after PDT treatment, however, which is still higher than normal controls.
ObjectiveTo observe the imaging features of short-wave length fundus autofluorescence (SW-AF), near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-AF)and spectral-domain optical coherence tomograph (SD-OCT) in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsThis is a retrospective observational consecutive case series study. Eighty-two eyes with acute CSC from 76 patients were enrolled in this study.There were 50 males (56 eyes) and 26 females (26 eyes), average age was (41.32±7.37) years old, average course of the disease was (0.47±1.73) months. The routine clinical examinations included best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscope, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), SW-AF, NIR-AF and SD-OCT. The imaging features of NIR-AF, SW-AF, SD-OCT and FFA in same eye with acute CSC were analyzed comparatively. ResultsSD-OCT showed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment corresponding to RPE leakage point on FFA images in all CSC eyes. RPE leakage points in all eyes corresponding to local hypo-NIR-AF, whereas corresponding to normal SW-AF. NIR-AF demonstrated the area of decreased AF corresponding to serous retinal detachment in all eyes, of which, the area of hypo-SW-AF was consistent with that of sensory retinal detachment in 75 eyes. Except for RPE leaking fluorescein in 82 eyes, FFA showed window defects corresponding to clusters of hypo-NIR-AF in 45 eyes, of which, 27 eyes showed hypo-SW-AF appearing concurrently with the locations of window defects of FFA. In 18 eyes, the extent and amount of hypo-SW-AF were less than that of hypo-NIR-AF. ConclusionsThere was local RPE detachment in all eyes with acute CSC. The locations of sensory retinal detachment, local RPE detachment and RPE depigmentation showed hypo-NIR-AF. The locations of sensory retinal detachment and RPE depigmentation showed hypo-SW-AF in most of acute CSC eyes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in microperimetry between acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsCross-sectional cases study. A consecutive series of 208 patients (221 eyes) with CSC diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into acute group (136 patients, 143 eyes) and chronic group (72 patients, 78 eyes) according to the duration and FFA. There were no statistical difference in sex (χ2=0.012, P=0.912) and mean age (t=-1.492, P=0.137) between two groups. All eyes received the examination of microperimetry and minimum resolution angle in logarithmic (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The mean retinal sensitivities (MS) and fixation rate in the central 2°(P1) and 4° (P2) were determined. ResultsThe mean value of logMAR BCVA in acute group and chronic group were 0.32±0.23 and 0.48±0.33, there was significant difference (Z=-3.353, P=0.001). In acute group and chronic group, the MS were (21.25±5.06) and (15.82±7.23) dB, P1 were (76.36±25.78)% and (55.01±32.34)%, P2 were (92.21±13.06)% and (79.83±23.11)%. There were statistical differences in MS (Z=-5.456, P < 0.001), P1 (Z=-4.629, P < 0.001) and P2 (Z=-4.265, P < 0.001) between two groups. In acute group, fixation was stable in 98 eyes (68.5%), relative unstable in 30 eyes (21.0%), unstable in 15 eyes (10.5%). In chronic group, fixation was stable in 30 eyes (38.5%), relative unstable in 22 eyes (28.2%), unstable in 26 eyes (33.3%). The difference of fixation between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=23.196, P < 0.001). ConclusionMS, fixation rate and fixation stability in chronic CSC eyes were all decreased compared with acute CSC eyes.
ObjectiveTo analyze the associations between the choroidal vasculature and submacular fluid (SMF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 29 CSC patients (31 eyes) with complete records who visited the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University People's Hospital from August 1, 2021 to March 1, 2023 were included in this study. The patients were divided into complete absorption and incomplete absorption groups according to the status of SMF in the last visit. All the patients underwent ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF SS-OCTA) with a scanning range of 24 mm × 20 mm. The UWF SS-OCTA images were automatically analyzed in 9 regions (superotemporal, superior, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, inferior, and inferonasal). Alterations of choroidal vasculature in the nine subfields after SMF absorption were described, including choroidal thickness (CT), flow density of choriocapillaris layer, vessel density of large choroidal vessel layer, three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (CVI), the mean choroidal vessel volume (mCVV), and the mean choroidal stroma volume (mCSV). The relevant factors affecting the complete absorption of SMF were additionally evaluated. ResultsAt baseline, CT (Z=2.859, P=0.004), mCVV (t=2.514, P=0.018), and mCSV (Z=2.958, P=0.003) in the superotemporal region of the affected eyes in the incomplete absorption group were significantly higher than those in the complete absorption group. Compared with baseline, at the last visit, the proportion of asymmetric vortex veins in the complete absorption group was significantly decreased (χ2=6.000, P=0.014), CVI in the superotemporal, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal regions (t=－4.125, t=－3.247, Z=－3.213, t=－2.994, t=－3.417, t=－3.733, t=－3.795; P=0.001, 0.006, 0.001, 0.010, 0.005, 0.003, 0.002), the mCVV of 9 regions (t=－2.959, t=－2.537, t=－2.235, t=－3.260, t=－3.022, t=－2.796, t=－2.747, Z=－2.107, t=－2.935; P=0.011, 0.025, 0.044, 0.006, 0.010, 0.015, 0.017, 0.035, 0.012) were significantly decreased. Compared to the complete absorption group, the choroidal blood flow changes in the non-complete absorption group were more limited, and CT in the upper region increased significantly at the last follow-up (t=2.272, P=0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline CT in the superotemporal region may be an independent risk factor affecting the complete absorption of SMF (odds ratio=0.981, 95% confidential interval 0.965-0.997, P=0.021). ConclusionsIn the process of SMF absorption in CSC, significant reductions of choroidal blood flow were found in the large choroidal vessel layer, and there may be a locally compensatory increase in CT. In addition, baseline CT in superotemporal region is an independent risk factor affecting SMF absorption.
ObjectiveTo compare the choriocapillaris flow density and choroidal vessel volume (CVV) of acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).MethodsA cross-sectional observational clinical study. A total of 64 eyes of 64 patients (CSC group) diagnosed with CSC at Department of Ophthalmology of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from May 2019 to October 2020, and a total of 64 eyes of 64 age and gender matched healthy volunteers (control group) during the same period were included in this study. In the CSC group, there were 34 patients with acute CSC (acute CSC group) and 30 patients with chronic CSC (chronic CSC group). There was no significant difference in age (t=－0.041) and sex composition ratio (χ2=0.191) between CSC group and control group (P＞0.05). There were statistically significant differences in age (t=－1.872) and sex composition ratio (χ2=8.778) between acute CSC group and chronic CSC group (P＜0.05). Swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) was performed using VG200D. The scanning mode was 512×512 and scannig range was 12 mm × 12 mm. The choriocapillaris flow density of the 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm circular area and 1-3 mm ring, 3-6 mm ring, and 6-12 mm ring, and the CVV of the of the 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm circular area was automatically generated by the built-in software (v1.28.6). The age, choriocapillaris flow density and CVV were compared between two groups using independent sample t test.ResultsCompared with the control group, the choriocapillaris flow density decreased in the CSC group, and there were statistically significant differences in the 3 mm, 6 mm circular area (t=－7.210, －4.040; P＜0.001). There were statistically significant differences between CSC group and control group in the 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm circular area (t=1.460, 12.270, 11.250; P＜0.05). Compared with the acute CSC group, the choriocapillaris flow density decreased in the chronic CSC group, and there were statistically significant differences (P＜0.05) in the 3 mm, 6 mm circular area (t=3.230, 2.330), the total and four quadrants of 1-3 mm ring (t=2.780, 2.060, 2.140, 2.620, 3.770), the superior quadrants of the 3-6 mm ring (t=2.550), and the superior and temporal of 6-12 mm ring (t=3.070, 2.610). There was no significant difference of CVV in the 3 mm, 6 mm and 12 mm circular area between the acute CSC group and the chronic CSC group (t=0.250, 0.070, －0.110; P＞0.05).ConclusionCompared with acute CSC, chronic CSC exhibits significant decreased choriocapillaris flow density and no change in CVV.
Central serous chorioretinitis (CSC) is a kind of choroidal retinopathy characterized by choroidal vasodilatation and hyperpermeability, retinal pigment epithelial cell lesions and serous retinal detachment. Various imaging examinations and imaging techniques have been used to describe the characteristics of the retina and choroid. Fundus manifestations of different types of CSC has both generality, and have their respective characteristic. The classification of CSC and its differentiation from other diseases including the choroidal neovascularization and pachychoroidopathy spectrum depending on varieties of fundus imaging techniques. The current study aims to review the various performance characteristics of CSC especially for chronic CSC with multimodal imaging and the current research progress, so as to provide reference for ophthalmologists to more comprehensively and intuitively understand the clinical characteristics and potential pathogenesis of CSC, and also to provide basis for multimodal imaging assisted diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the clinical and imaging features of eyes with cystoid macular degeneration (CMD) secondary to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From February 2018 to June 2023, 9 patients of 15 eyes with cCSC secondary CMD diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Yunnan University Affiliated Hospital were included in the study. All patients were male. The age was (53.67±3.83) years. The cases of binocular and monocular were 6 and 3 respectively. The visual acuity of the affected eye ranges from 0.02 to 0.1, which cannot be corrected. Visual acuity decreased and the duration of shadow occlusion was ＞1 year. Half dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) was performed on 8 eyes. All the patients underwent the best corrected visual acuity, posterior mydriatic fundus color photography, infrared fundus photography (IR), fundus autofluorescence (AF), fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and multi-wavelength dazzling imaging (MC). The patients who received half dose PDT were followed up until 3 months after treatment. Patients who did not receive treatment were followed up to 2 years after the first diagnosis. ResultsThe light reflection in macular area decreased or disappeared in all eyes, and abnormal macular pigmentation was observed in 12 eyes. IR examination showed diffuse patchy weak fluorescence in the macular area in all affected eyes, and dotted strong fluorescence in the periphery. Fundus AF examination showed disc-like weak AF in the macular area, and scattered small amounts of strong AF in the middle and margins, among which the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy trace in the macular area was observed in 7 eyes. By MC examination, the green signal in the macular area of the posterior pole of all affected eyes was uneven and mottled. FFA examination showed that no abnormal fluorescein leakage was observed in 15 eyes and 8 eyes showed strong fluorescence caused by diffuse permeation fluorescence. A small amount of active fluorescein was found in 7 eyes. OCT examination showed that there were several cystic cavities of different sizes in all the affected eyes, RPE atrophied to different degrees, and RPE cell compensatory ridges and tubular structures in the outer retina were seen in 6 eyes; 7 eyes with CMD and active leakage showed signs of subcortical fluid accumulation. Choroidal hypertrophy was seen in all affected eyes, with significant expansion of the great vascular layer and compression of the middle vascular layer and capillary layer. In 8 eyes treated with half-dose PDT, 6 eyes were ineffective at 3 months after treatment. The treatment was effective in 2 eyes. In 7 eyes that did not receive half-dose PDT, CMD structure did not improve significantly after 2 years of follow-up. The visual acuity decreased with the prolongation of the disease. ConclusionsCMD is more common in cCSC with a long course of disease, which has significant effects on vision and poor prognosis. Fundus color photography shows that the reflection in the macular area of the pole is weakened or disappeared, which may be combined with macular abnormal pigmentation. IR and AF examination show uneven fluorescence in macular area. The green signal in macular area is not uniform according to MC inspection. FFA shows strong fluorescence caused by diffuse permeable fluorescence and fluorescein leakage in active lesions. OCT examination shows that multiple small sacs or connections between sacs were broken and fused, and RPE atrophied to varying degrees.