Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) — also called central serous retinopathy — is an eye disorder that causes a pocket of fluid to form in the macula (center) of your retina. As the fluid pocket grows, it causes your retina to detach at the macula. This can lead to blurry vision, blind spots, and distorted color vision that typically improves over time without treatment.
UPMC experts provide advanced diagnostic and follow-up care for people with central serous chorioretinopathy, limiting the condition's temporary impact on quality of life and reducing the risk of recurrence.
On this page:
What Is Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)?
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) — also called central serous retinopathy — is an eye disorder that causes a pocket of fluid to form in the macula (center) of your retina. The fluid builds up in your eye, leading to detachment of the retina at the macula. This can result in blurry vision, blind spots, and distorted color vision that typically improve over time without treatment.
How serious is CSCR?
CSCR is a condition that causes mild to moderate symptoms. Although there is a high chance of making a complete recovery in a few weeks or months, CSCR symptoms may affect your daily life.
Is CSCR the same as macular degeneration?
Although CSCR and macular degeneration affect the same part of your eye called the macula, they are different conditions with different causes. Macular degeneration is a progressive disease that causes a gradual loss of central vision. CSCR causes fluid to build up under your retina, which causes temporary vision loss.
What are the types of CSCR?
CSCR can be acute or chronic. Acute cases of CSCR typically get better within three to six months, while chronic CSCR lasts longer than six months.
How common is CSCR?
CSCR is an uncommon condition, affecting about 10 out of 100,000 people each year. It is most common in men ages 30 to 50.
What causes CSCR?
Researchers aren’t sure what causes CSCR. However, there may be a link between CSCR and corticosteroid medications, including pills, allergy nasal sprays, inhalers, and skin creams. CSCR may also be linked to high levels of stress, which trigger your body to produce higher levels of stress hormones.
What drugs cause CSCR?
Corticosteroid medications such as pills, nasal allergy sprays, inhalers, and skin creams, as well as medications to treat erectile dysfunction, may cause CSCR.
CSCR risk factors
CSCR risk factors include:
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Endocrine disorders that cause high levels of stress hormones.
- Family history of CSCR.
- High blood pressure.
- High stress or anxiety levels.
- Nearsightedness.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Organ transplantation.
- Pregnancy.
- Taking corticosteroids.
- Taking medications for erectile dysfunction.
What triggers CSCR?
High levels of stress and taking corticosteroid or erectile dysfunction medications can trigger CSCR.
Complications of CSCR
Complications of CSCR include:
- Symptoms that affect your ability to work, drive, or go to school.
- Permanent vision loss if CSCR is chronic and untreated (rare).
- Risk of recurrence.
How can I prevent CSCR?
There is nothing you can do to prevent CSCR. However, managing chronic conditions that may affect your eyes, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and having regular eye exams can help identify early signs of CSCR.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of CSCR?
Symptoms of CSCR usually occur in only one eye but may sometimes affect both eyes. While it’s not painful, CSCR can disrupt your daily life.
Although CSCR doesn’t always cause symptoms, it can cause:
- A dark area in your central vision.
- Blurry vision.
- Dimmer or darker vision.
- Straight lines to look bent or crooked.
- Objects to look farther away or smaller than their actual distance or size.
- Rings to appear around objects.
- White items to look duller or brownish in color.
When should I see a doctor about my CSCR symptoms?
If you are experiencing symptoms of CSCR, you should schedule a complete eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
How Do You Diagnose CSCR?
Your ophthalmologist will perform an eye exam and look at your retina when your pupils are dilated. Depending on the initial exam, your doctor may order further tests, such as a scan of the back of your eye.
What to expect during your visit
If your doctor suspects CSCR, they will:
- Ask about your symptoms.
- Perform an eye exam by dilating your pupils.
- Review your health history and medications.
Tests to diagnose CSCR
Your ophthalmologist will perform several tests to diagnose CSCR, including:
- Eye exam with dilation.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT), which uses light to take detailed images of your retina.
- Retinal exam.
CSCR prognosis
Most CSCR cases are resolved by themselves and happen only once. Most patients with central serous chorioretinopathy experience a full restoration of their vision.
How Do You Treat CSCR?
The goals of CSCR treatment are to restore your central vision and prevent vision-threatening complications.
What is the best treatment for CSCR?
In most cases, treatment involves monitoring your condition for improvements or changes.
Most people recover from CSCR within a few weeks or months without treatment. However, people with CSCR may have to temporarily change their glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
What should I avoid if I have CSCR?
If you are taking corticosteroid or erectile dysfunction medications, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking them. However, you should be sure to talk to your doctor before you stop taking any medications.
Thermal laser treatment for CSCR
Most doctors will only offer thermal laser treatment if your eye hasn’t returned to normal after several months or if you have repeated recurrences of the condition. Although laser treatments may speed recovery, they will not impact the quality of your long-term vision.
Photodynamic therapy for CSCR
Photodynamic therapy involves injecting a medication into your arm that travels to your eye. The medication is activated when your doctor shines a special type of cold laser on the area where fluid is leaking under your retina. This stops the leak and reduces the risk of a recurrence.
Why Choose UPMC for CSCR Care?
When you choose UPMC for CSCR care, you will receive:
- Access to ophthalmology expertise — Our ophthalmology experts treat the full spectrum of conditions using the latest, evidence-based treatment guidelines and strategies.
- A full range of treatment options —We offer general ophthalmology and retinal care, which allows us to effectively treat all types of eye disorders while reducing your risk of complications.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with retinal specialists, primary care providers, and other medical experts to provide complete care that optimizes your recovery and quality of life.
