title: Imaging polarimetry in central serous chorioretinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a noninvasive technique to detect the leakage point of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR), using a polarimetry method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 30 eyes of 30 patients with CSR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polarimetry images were recorded using the GDx-N (Laser Diagnostic Technologies). We computed four images that differed in their polarization content: a depolarized light image, an average reflectance image, a parallel polarized light image, and a birefringence image. Each polarimetry image was compared with abnormalities seen on fluorescein angiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all eyes, leakage area could be clearly visualized as a bright area in the depolarized light images. Michelson contrasts for the leakage areas were 0.58 +/- 0.28 in the depolarized light images, 0.17 +/- 0.11 in the average reflectance images, 0.09 +/- 0.09 in the parallel polarized light images, and 0.11 +/- 0.21 in the birefringence images from the same raw data. Michelson contrasts in depolarized light images were significantly higher than for the other three images (P < .0001, for all tests, paired t test). The fluid accumulated in the retina was well-visualized in the average and parallel polarized light images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polarization-sensitive imaging could readily localize the leakage point and area of fluid in CSR. This may assist with the rapid, noninvasive assessment of CSR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Kasumigaura Hospital, 3-20-1 Chuo, Ami, Inashiki, Ibaraki 300-0395, Tokyo, Japan. m-miura@tokyo-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cheney
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osako
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001718:Birefringence; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D044967:Serum