AIM: To investigate the characteristics of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence(NIR-FAF)at the leakage site in acute central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC).

METHODS: Twenty-five eyes of the 25 patients diagnosed with acute CSC(mean age 44.52±6.17 years)were included in this retrospective study. Fundus fluorescein angiography and NIR-FAF imaging were performed using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The imaging features of NIR-FAF at the leakage site were analyzed.

RESULTS: There were four patterns of NIR-FAF at the leakage site in acute CSC eyes: no NIR-FAF abnormal changes, hypoautofluorescence(hypo-AF), mottled autofluorescence(AF)and hyperautofluorescence(hyper-AF). Only 1 eye(4%)among 25 eyes of NIR-FAF imaging at the leakage site had no obvious abnormalities, while other 24 eyes(96%)had abnormal changes. Among them, 7 eyes had dot-like hypo-AF, 10 eyes had expanded hypo-AF, 5 eyes had expanded mottled AF and the remaining 2 eyes had expanded hyper-AF. All eyes had abnormal NIR-FAF corresponding to the area of the serous retinal detachment, including 17 eyes with hypo-AF and 8 eyes with mottled AF.

CONCLUSION: There are characteristic NIR-FAF changes at the leakage sites of acute CSC eyes. NIR-FAF photography can be used as a fast, effective and non-invasive method for the early detection of RPE abnormality in acute CSC.