Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Central serous chorioretinopathy develops in young adults, where it may heal on its own or turn into an ongoing condition that puts your vision at risk. The highly skilled ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants of Austin, with offices in Austin, Lakeway, Marble Falls, and Round Rock, Texas, protect your vision with comprehensive care that gets to the source of the problem. If you suddenly develop blurry vision or vision loss, call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is central serous chorioretinopathy?

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) occurs when fluid builds up under your retina. While many eye conditions develop as you get older, CSC affects young and middle-aged adults. 

Retinopathy refers to any retinal disease that may result in vision loss. CSC is the fourth most common retinopathy after diabetic neuropathy, macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. 

What causes central serous chorioretinopathy?

A layer of tissues called the choroid lie under your retina. The choroid is packed with blood vessels that nourish the eye. When these vessels leak, the fluids build up under the retina. 

Without treatment, the fluids make the retina swell and pull it away from the wall. This can lead to a torn or detached retina.

What are the symptoms of central serous chorioretinopathy?

CSC causes symptoms such as:

• Blurry vision
• Distorted vision
• Central vision loss
• Objects looking smaller than they really are
• Farsightedness (distant objects are clear while nearby vision is blurry)

Acute (sudden) CSC often improves in a few months. However, it can also turn into a long-lasting condition. 

How is central serous chorioretinopathy diagnosed?

After completing a dilated eye exam, your provider at Retina Consultants of Austin performs optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is an advanced retinal scan that takes cross-sectional images, revealing all the details about the fluid buildup.

Your retinal scan is digitally saved. When you have another scan in the future, your provider can compare the scans and accurately identify tiny changes. 

How is central serous chorioretinopathy treated?

Your provider at Retina Consultants of Austin creates an individualized treatment plan that may include: 

Stopping corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are directly associated with developing CSC. If you take corticosteroids, it’s essential to stop, but don’t do that until you talk with your primary care provider. Corticosteroids should be slowly and safely reduced rather than suddenly stopped. 

Eye injections

Your provider may inject medications that block the effect of corticosteroids or stop the blood vessels from leaking. 

Photodynamic therapy

This is a cold laser therapy that’s combined with medication. Your provider injects the medication and it travels to the blood vessels behind your retina. Then, they use the cold laser to activate the medication and block the blood vessels. 

Laser photocoagulation

This classic laser therapy uses heat to seal or destroy the leaking blood vessels.

If you need help with CSC, call Retina Consultants of Austin or schedule an appointment online today.