Health Encyclopedia

Central serous choroidopathy

Definition

Central serous choroidopathy is a disease that causes fluid to build up under the retina. This is the back part of the inner eye that sends sight information to the brain. The fluid leaks from the blood vessel layer under the retina. This layer is called the choroid.

Alternative Names

Central serous retinopathy; Central serous chorioretinopathy

Causes

The cause of this condition is unknown.

Men are affected more often than women, and the condition is most common at around age 45. However, anyone can be affected.

Stress appears to be a risk factor. Early studies found that people with aggressive, "type A" personalities who are under a lot of stress may be more likely to develop central serous choroidopathy.

The condition can also occur as a complication of steroid drug use.

It has recently been reported after vaccination for COVID-19, although cause and effect could not be proven.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Dim and blurred blind spot in the center of vision
Distortion of straight lines with the affected eye
Objects appearing smaller or farther away with the affected eye

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider can most often diagnose central serous choroidopathy by dilating the eye and performing an eye exam. Fluorescein angiography confirms the diagnosis.

This condition may also be diagnosed with a noninvasive test called ocular coherence tomography (OCT).

Treatment

Most cases clear up without treatment in 1 to 2 months. Laser treatment or photodynamic therapy to seal the leak may help restore vision in people with more severe leakage and vision loss, or in those who have had the disease for a long time.

People who are using steroid drugs (for example, to treat autoimmune diseases) should stop using these drugs, if possible. Do not stop taking these medicines without first talking to your provider.

Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops may also help.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people recover good vision without treatment. However, vision is often not as good as it was before the condition occurred.

The disease returns in about one half of all people. Even when the disease returns, it has a good outlook. Rarely, people develop permanent scars that damage their central vision.

Possible Complications

A small number of people will have complications from laser treatment that impair their central vision. That is why most people will be allowed to recover without treatment, if possible.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if your vision gets worse.

Prevention

There is no known prevention. Although there is a clear association with stress, there is no evidence that reducing stress can help prevent or treat central serous choroidopathy.

References

Bahadorani S, Maclean K, Wannamaker K, et al. Treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy with topical NSAIDs. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:1543-1548. PMID: 31616132 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31616132/.

Fowler N, Mendez Martinez NR, Pallares BV, Maldonado RS. Acute-onset central serous retinopathy after immunization with COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021;23:101136. PMID: 34151047 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34151047/.

Kalevar A, Agarwal A. Central serous chorioretinopathy. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 6.31.

Lam DSC, Boon CJF, Radke NV, van Dijk EHC. Central serous chorioretinopathy. In: Sadda SVR, Sarraf D, Freund KB et al, eds. Ryan's Retina. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 73.

Spaide RF, Gemmy Cheung CM, Matsumoto H, et al. Venous overload choroidopathy: a hypothetical framework for central serous chorioretinopathy and allied disorders. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2022;86:100973. PMID: 34029721 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34029721/.

Tamhankar MA. Visual loss: retinal disorders of neuro-ophthalmic interest. In: Liu GT, Volpe NJ, Galetta SL, eds. Liu, Volpe, and Galetta's Neuro-Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.

Review Date:8/22/2022
Reviewed By:Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.