A study based in Turkey has revealed that patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) have impaired P50 and N95 amplitudes on pattern electroretinography (ERG), both at the baseline and after CSCR resolution. The researchers believe the P50 amplitude could possibly be used as a prognostic value in CSCR.

The study included 32 patients (mean age: 38.8, 71.9% female) with unilateral acute CSCR and spontaneous resolution during follow‐up period of two to four months. The patients’ unaffected eyes acted as controls. The P50 and N95 amplitudes of the affected eyes were significantly lower than the controls both at baseline and after CSCR resolution. However, there was significant increase in the P50 amplitude within the affected eyes from baseline to post-resolution.

The researchers noted a strongly negative association between P50 amplitude and visual acuity at baseline, and a moderately negative association between the two after CSCR resolution. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly higher in the affected eyes both at baseline and after CSCR resolution along with a significant decrease in the affected eyes from baseline to post‐resolution, prompting the researcher to consider increased choroid thickness as an important factor in the pathophysiology of CSCR.

The researchers champion pattern ERG as a management tool, since it provides data on residual deficit even after anatomical resolution of CSCR and attaining normal visual acuity. 

Doguizi S, Sekeroglu MA, Ozkoyuncu D Yilmazbas P. Pattern electroretinography in patients with unilateral acute central serous chorioretinopathy. Clin Exp Optom. December 10, 2019. [Epub ahead of print].