UPMC Eye Center

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Central serous chorioretinopathy is an eye disorder in which a pocket of fluid forms in the center of the retina, called the macula. The pocket of fluid builds in the eye and causes the retina to detach at the macula, causing blurry vision, blind spots, and distorted color vision. It is not completely understood why the fluid collects within eyes that are otherwise healthy.

Central serous chorioretinopathy is most commonly diagnosed in young males or people with "type A" personalities. While this condition is not painful, it has the potential to be disruptive to a person's daily life. People suffering from central serous chorioretinopathy may have to temporarily change their glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and may see a ring around objects.

Most cases resolve by themselves and do not happen again, and the majority of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy experience a full restoration of their vision.

Diagnosis
If you are experiencing symptoms of central serous chorioretinopathy, you should schedule a complete eye exam with your eye doctor. Your doctor may order further tests, such as a scan of the back of your eye, depending on what the initial examination reveals.

Treatment
Once a diagnosis has been made, usually all that is required is periodic observation by a doctor. Laser treatments can speed recovery, but will not have any impact on how well a patient sees in the long run.

Most doctors will offer treatment only if:

they have not seen the eye return to normal after a reasonable period of time
the patient is suffering from repeated recurrence of the condition
there is an important reason for the patient to return to their normal vision quickly

For more information, or to make an appointment with an eye doctor, please contact the UPMC Eye Center at 412-647-2200.

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