Central serous retinopathy is a slight fluid accumulation in the eyes’ macular region which lies between the outer segments and retinal pigment epithelium. A central scotoma results, but usually reduces within a few months.
CSR mostly affects men between the age of 25 and 45. Patients may have farsightedness but it is not associated with any systemic or other eye disease. The disease is found mostly in Type A, who tend to be more stressed and nervous.
CSR may also be precipitated by severe hypertension, antihistamine use, collagen vascular disease, blood disorders, pregnancy, excessive alcohol use, use of steroids and organ transplant.
Central Serous Retinopathy Symptoms
- Metamorphopsia (distorted, defective vision)
- Central scotoma
- Micropsia (distorted vision in which objects tend to appear further away or smaller )
- Increasing hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Chromatopsia (vision defect in which unnatural colored appearance of objects is seen)
Causes of Central Serous Retinopathy
The actual cause of this retinopathy is not known. One of the risk factors is stress. Use of complicated steroid drugs can also cause this defect.
Diagnosis
Eye examination is performed to diagnose the defect, sometimes fundus contact lens is used. Flourescein angiography confirms the diagnosis.
Treatment
No proper medication has proved to be effective in treating this retinopathy. But laser photo coagulation has been reported to be beneficial. It may help to reduce severe visual loss or severe leakage or longer persistence of the disease.
Reports suggest that photo coagulation of the leakage point shortens the disease’s acute phase and also helps to lower the recurrence rate to some extent.
Some patients will have complications because of laser treatment as it impairs central vision.
Nutrients such as zeaxanthin, l-lysine, lutein, vinpocetine, fish oil and a number of enzymes and vitamins may help to heal retinopathy and preserve vision. Vision may also be preserved by using micro current stimulation.
