Full thickness macular hole with subfoveal pigment epithelial detachment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: A therapeutic challenge

Abstract

We describe the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies employed in the management of a patient with subfoveal pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) combined with full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) and discuss the possible pathophysiology of these diseases occurring concurrently. A 38-year-old patient with a history of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) presented with FTMH overlying a large subfoveal serous PED. Multimodal imaging confirmed the same and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections and eplerenone failed to resolve the PED. Spontaneous resolution of the large PED was observed later and pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling closed the macular hole successfully. However, the PED with fibrinous CSC recurred postoperatively and low fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) was done to tackle the same. At 10 months' follow-up, the final vision was 6/9, the macular hole remained closed, and the PED had not recurred. Macular hole formation may be the result of choroidal hyperpermeability and leakage in the backdrop of CSC which gives rise to an exudative component causing mechanical stretching and disruption of the overlying sensory retina. Spontaneous uncomplicated resolution of large subfoveal PED in CSCR is rare. This case was managed with a combination of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, surgery, and PDT. The therapeutic challenge here was the timing of surgery.

Keywords

• central serous choroidopathy
• macular hole
• pigment epithelial detachment