Information For Our Patients About Central Serous Retinopathy
Once you have a basic understanding of the eye, you can better understand how your eye problem interferes with vision. In a manner similar to a camera, light enters through the front of your eye through the cornea and lens. The light is then focused on the back of your eye on the tissue called the retina. In a sense, the retina functions like the film in a camera. From there, the signals are transmitted to the brain, creating sight. There are several layers in the back of the eye. The top layer, the neurosensory retina, senses light. The middle layer, the retinal pigment epithelium, provides support for the neurosensory layer. The choroid, which is beneath, provides additional blood supply.
The central area of the retina is called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision. Activities which require fine vision such as reading, driving or sewing depend on a healthy macula. If the macula is damaged by disease, this "straight ahead" vision is affected. The rest of the retina is responsible for side or peripheral vision, and remains unaffected by this problem.
Central serous retinopathy (also called choroidopathy) is a relatively common condition in which a "blister" of fluid forms under the retina (serous retinal detachment). Since this "blister" forms in the center of the retina and affects central vision, the condition has been appropriately named central serous retinopathy (CSR.) The leakage is usually localized, but can be extensive. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 55 may develop this condition. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop this condition. The typical symptoms may include blurred vision, distortion, altered color perception, reduced image size, and a central blind spot. The onset of symptoms is usually sudden. Vision may vary from 20/20 to 20/400. Treatment is usually not necessary because nearly 90% of individuals spontaneously recover 20/30 vision or better. The recovery usually occurs in one to six months. After recovery, some patients may still detect subtle visual deficits. For those patients in whom CSR does not resolve, laser treatment can be performed. Recurrences in the affected eye or the fellow eye are not uncommon. The fluorescein angiogram test, or dye injection test is invaluable in making the diagnosis, differentiating CSR from more serious problems, and in following atypical or prolonged cases.
The cause of CSR is unknown. Individuals with "hard-driving, type-A personalities" are more prone to develop this condition. On that basis, stress has been suggested as a causative factor, although never proven.
