What causes Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)?

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.

Symptoms of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)

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

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.

Who is at risk for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)?

Diagnosing CSCR is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam in which the ophthalmologist uses eye drops to dilate the patient's pupil.

• Men in their 30s to 50s
• People with an autoimmune disease (a disease in which the body attacks itself)
• People with high blood pressure (hypertension)
• People with a sleep disorder like insomnia
• People who use steroids

How is Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) diagnosed?

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.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) Treatment

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:

• Intravenous injections: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medications like Avastin's bevacizumab, Lucentis's ranibizumab, and Eyela's aflibercept can help prevent the fluid from getting out.
• Medication: Mineralocorticoid antagonists like eplerenone and aldosterone can help a patient with CSCR see better and absorb more fluids.
• Photodynamic therapy: Photodynamic therapy involves injecting verteporfin into the patient's arm veins. The medication makes its way to the eye, where an ophthalmologist uses a "cold laser" to activate the verteporfin in the eye. This stops fluid leakage and prevents future leaks from happening.

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.