Treatment for Central Serous Retinopathy / Chorioretinopathy in Houston & San Antonio

What is Central Serous Retinopathy/Chorioretinopathy?

Central serous retinopathy (CSR) is also known as idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) because the exact cause is unknown. CSR is believed to be a non-infectious and non-inflammatory disease that results in a collection of fluid below the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). It most commonly involves the macula. This is believed to be caused by increased and abnormal leakage of fluid under the retina called choroidal vascular permeability.

Causes and Symptoms of Central Serous Retinopathy/Chorioretinopathy

While central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) can occur at any age, most patients are between 20 and 50 years old. Men are affected more often than women, and many patients will be affected in both eyes.

Risk factors include:

Symptoms of CSR may include:

Diagnosis

The classic findings of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) are collections of a clear fluid below the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Other problems can develop, including retinal and RPE atrophy or degeneration, subretinal exudation (accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space), scarring, RPE tears, and the development of choroidal neovascular membranes.

Your Retina Consultants of Texas physician may obtain multiple types of ocular imaging, including photography, ocular coherence tomography(OCT), indocyanine green angiography (ICG), and fluorescein angiography (FA)[1] (Shah 2015) to facilitate diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment and Prognosis

Approximately 50 percent of people with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) will have more than one episode, and about 10 percent of patients will have more than three episodes. In most cases, the fluid under the retina will resolve spontaneously within three months, and most people (about 90 percent) will maintain relatively good central vision. Some patients, however, may have significant visual effects, and in its most aggressive form, CSR can cause severe central vision loss.

Patients with CSR should:

For patients who would like more rapid visual rehabilitation and for patients with chronic or severe subretinal fluid, treatment may be needed. Different kinds of lasers can be applied in an attempt to decrease the amount of subretinal fluid[2] (Chang and Bressler 2009). If choroidal neovascular membranes develop, you may need to have injections of medications into your eye to try to stop the abnormal blood vessels.

Learn More About Central Serous Retinopathy / Chorioretinopathy

Central Serous Retinopathy (PDF)