[Relation between retinal pigment epithelial detachment and dye leakage in central serous retinopathy]

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to provide supportive evidence favoring the hypothesis of choroidal hyperpermeability in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Patients and methods: Seven consecutive patients (eight eyes) with a history of central serous chorioretinopathy were explored. Fluorescein angiography and a monochromatic frame at 640 mm was performed for all eyes. All showed dye leakage located at the rim of a retinal pigment epithelial detachment.

Results: Retinal pigment epithelial detachment was extrafoveal in all 8 eyes. Dye leakage was located at the nasal rim in 4 eyes, the superior rim in 2 eyes, the temporal rim in 1 and the anterior rim in the last eye.

Conclusion: Dye leakage at the rim of pigment epithelial detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy is a strong argument for the hypothesis of a choroidal hyperpermeability. The hyperpressure crushes the overlying retinal pigment epithelium and in some areas provokes focal detachment and dye leakage at the junction of the detached and attached pigment epithelium.