Subretinal fluid disturbs the retinal venous blood flow in central serous chorioretinopathy

Abstract

The significance of subretinal fluid in the retinal blood flow is unclear. Here, we evaluated the association between subretinal fluid (SRF) and retinal blood flow in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using a retinal functional imager (RFI) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). In this retrospective case–control study involving 26 eyes from 18 CSC patients and 25 eyes from 21 age- and sex-matched controls, we found that the CSC group showed significant differences from the control group in terms of the retinal venule blood flow velocity (3.60 ± 0.43 vs 3.96 ± 0.56 mm/s; p = 0.030), retinal venule blood flow rate (8.75 ± 2.67 vs 12.51 ± 7.12 nl/s; p = 0.040), and the diameter of retinal venules (118.26 ± 14.25 vs 126.92 ± 35.31 μm; p = 0.045). Linear regression analysis showed that SRF thickness accounted for a 36.9% reduction in venous BFR (p = 0.013). The difference in the O2 saturation between retinal arteries and veins was greater in the CSC group. There was no correlation between SRF thickness and capillary densities in OCTA. Our findings suggest that disturbance in venous return and the associated altered oxygen may be significant changes in the retinal blood flow dynamics in eyes with SRF.

Aflibercept combined with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of diabetic macular edema: optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography

“…Other studies have suggested that the accumulation of SRF usually indicates dysfunction of the RPE, including disruption of the outer blood-retinal barrier and defects in the drainage system and pump function of the RPE [25] . This dysfunction is related to the release of pro-inflammatory factors, enhanced permeability mediated by VEGF, protein hydrolysis induced by matrix metalloproteinases, and regulation of cytoskeletal proteins [26] . In our study, DME eyes with two OCT biomarkers, SRF and HRF, achieved better results with combination therapy.…”

Blood flow in the optic nerve head in patients with primary aldosteronism

“…CSC is a part of the pachychoroid spectrum disorders, and is characterized by serous retinal detachment, RPE alterations and dilation of the choroidal vessels. Retinal blood flow velocity and blood flow rate were reported to be lower in eyes with CSC as compared to healthy eyes [ 18 ]. Therefore, it has been speculated that MR pathway overactivation may reduce retinal blood flow.…”