Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is an eye condition that impacts a person's ability to see clearly. CSCR typically only affects one eye, but the disease can also affect both eyes at the same time or at different points in a person's life.
Those affected by this eye condition tend to experience blurred vision, temporary vision loss that may recur or become chronic, and unexplained flashes of light.
The cause of the disease is still unknown. However, medical professionals have identified several factors that may cause it. CSCR occurs when fluid builds up beneath the retina possibly from a hormone called cortisol.
The body is exposed to cortisol by certain medications known as corticosteroids. As a result, patients inflicted with CSCR may experience worsening symptoms. CSCR has also been associated with stress; causing the body to naturally produce cortisol and most likely develop the disease.
The primary symptom of the disease is blurred vision or a darkened area around the central vision. Some additional signs include:
Lines appearing crooked
Dark spots in the centre of your vision
Objects appearing further away from you
The colour white appears duller
Lines appearing crooked
Dark spots in the centre of your vision
Objects appearing further away from you
The colour white appears duller
In some instances, a patient may have CSCR without knowing due to the absence of these symptoms. The fluid might accumulate in regions of the eye that do not surround the retina or macula, which doesn’t affect vision.
Diagnosing CSCR is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam in which the ophthalmologist uses eye drops to dilate the patient's pupil.
CSCR is usually diagnosed during a routine eye check-up when an ophthalmologist administers eye drops to dilate the patient’s pupil. After that, an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan of the retina is performed to allow for a microscopic eye examination.
The ophthalmologist can also take pictures of the retina with an OCT to check for fluid leakage.
Fluorescein angiography is used to identify the characteristics of the leakage if the ophthalmologist detects fluid leakage around the retina. Fluorescein angiography is a test in which an ophthalmologist injects a dye into the patient's vein in the arm. This allows the doctor to examine the retina's blood flow with a special camera. The ophthalmologist can provide an accurate treatment option by differentiating CSCR from other retinal diseases through this technique.
CSCR is a self-limiting condition that usually doesn’t require treatment and will resolve itself within a few weeks or months. However, CSCR patients, especially those afflicted for an extended period, have several treatment options.
Treatments include:
At Eyecentric, we provide patients with the best medical care and treatments for CSCR to prevent it from reoccurring. Our seasoned ophthalmologists and eye surgeons are highly skilled in treating chronic CSCR, keeping track of the accumulation of fluid, and assisting patients throughout their recovery process.
To lower stress levels, our ophthalmologists advise those who have been diagnosed with CSCR to adopt a healthier lifestyle. These include exercising, getting enough sleep, cutting back on caffeine, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and stopping the use of drugs that contain cortisol or steroids. Additionally, we at SJMC urge everyone to prioritise the health of your eyes and get them examined frequently.
