Prospective Geometric Analysis of Ultra-Widefield OCTA Characteristics in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Patients

January 8, 2026 updated by: Jin Chen-jin, Sun Yat-sen University
By leveraging parameters including fractal dimension and topological index, we constructed a quantitative evaluation framework for ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF-OCTA) images in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), thus overcoming the limitations of conventional qualitative analysis.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a macular disorder characterized by choroidal hyperpermeability and serous retinal detachment, with chronicity leading to irreversible visual impairment. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows non-invasive, high-resolution 3D imaging of choroidal microcirculation, but traditional OCTA analysis relies on qualitative assessment, which cannot quantify vascular structural heterogeneity.

This prospective cohort study will enroll 120 subjects, including CSC patients and healthy controls, who will be allocated to acute, chronic, recurrent CSC groups, or healthy control group. Ultra-widefield swept-source OCTA (UWF SS-OCTA) will be used to capture choroidal vascular images. Geometric parameters (fractal dimension, topological index, 3D vascular diameter) will quantify vascular complexity, distribution, and morphology. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and matching for age, gender, and refraction will ensure baseline comparability. Follow-up visits will be conducted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment, with repeated OCTA to evaluate dynamic changes in geometric parameters and their associations with treatment response.

This study innovatively integrates geometric methods with UWF-OCTA to establish a quantitative choroidal vascular evaluation framework for CSC. It aims to identify stage-specific vascular characteristics, explore correlations between geometric markers (e.g., dynamic fractal dimension changes) and the efficacy of laser photocoagulation/anti-VEGF therapy, and validate these markers as non-invasive prognostic indicators. UWF-OCTA will enable comprehensive detection of vascular abnormalities, providing evidence for precise CSC management.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

120

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • China
    • Guangdong
      • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510060
        • Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Chenjin Jin, PH.D

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study subjects were recruited from outpatients of the Medical Retina Department at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, and eligible cases meeting the study criteria were selected from the outpatient medical record system.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 60 years, inclusive;
  • Clinical diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC);
  • Completion of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) examinations;
  • Completion of ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF-OCTA) imaging;
  • No prior history of pharmacological or surgical treatment for CSC;
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Presence of other ophthalmic diseases that may affect retinal or choroidal imaging or analysis, including but not limited to: Significant refractive media opacities interfering with OCTA imaging (e.g., severe cataract, vitreous hemorrhage);

  • Presence of systemic diseases that may affect study outcomes or participant safety;
  • Pregnant or lactating women;
  • History of psychiatric or mental disorders that may impair compliance;
  • Hemorrhagic diathesis or requirement for long-term anticoagulant therapy;
  • History of long-term systemic medication use that may affect choroidal or retinal circulation;
  • Presence of severe and/or uncontrolled comorbid medical conditions, including but not limited to:

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; Uncontrolled hypertension; Active uncontrolled infection; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with dyspnea at rest;

  • History of intraocular surgery or intravitreal injection within the past 6 months;
  • High refractive error defined as:

Spherical equivalent (SE) < -6.0 diopters or > +3.0 diopters, or Axial length (AL) > 26.0 mm;

-Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make participation unsafe or interfere with protocol adherence.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Clinically, serous retinal detachment (SRD) can be detected via fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT), along with focal or multifocal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes confined to small pigment epithelial detachment (PED) lesions. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) demonstrates RPE leakage. SRD typically resolves within 3-4 months, and in most cases, no long-term symptoms persist except for color discrimination deficits in some patients.
Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
When the disease course exceeds 4-6 months, obvious multifocal atrophic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes, multifocal leakage, and extensive RPE atrophy can be observed. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) shows hypofluorescence in the RPE-damaged areas.
Recurrent Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
The patient has a history of one or more previous episodes, during which the symptoms completely resolved or significantly improved, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination showed complete absorption of subretinal fluid, with reattachment of the neurosensory retina. After complete remission of the first (or previous) episode (an interval of at least 3-6 months is generally considered), the patient develops typical symptoms of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) again, accompanied by objective evidence of the acute or chronic phase, such as changes detected by OCT or fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA).
Control Group
Healthy control subjects without any local or systemic diseases

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Choroidal Vascular Fractal Dimension
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Choroidal vascular fractal dimension quantified from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximum subretinal fluid height
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The maximum height of subretinal fluid measured in micrometers (μm) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Subretinal fluid area
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The basal area of subretinal fluid measured in square millimeters (mm²) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Subretinal fluid volume
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The volume of subretinal fluid measured in cubic millimeters (mm³) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Choroidal vascular branching index
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The branching index of choroidal blood vessels quantified from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Choroidal Vascular Connectivity Index
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The connectivity index of choroidal blood vessels quantified from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Mean curvature of choroidal blood vessels
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The mean curvature of choroidal blood vessels quantified from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Mean curvature of retinal blood vessels
Time Frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
The mean curvature of retinal blood vessels quantified from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images.
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sun Yat-sen University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Chenjin Jin, PH.D, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

December 18, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 17, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 8, 2026

First Posted (Estimated)

January 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

January 16, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 8, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025KYPJ135

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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