Central serous choroidopathy (also known as idiopathic central serous retinopathy) is a spontaneously occurring condition causing reduction of central vision in healthy young adults. The patient, usually a male between the ages of 20 and 40, first notices blurring of central vision in one eye. He usually likens the condition to looking through a gray bubble” located in the central portion of his visual field. The patient may also notice that objects look smaller when viewed with the affected eye (micropsia).
The visual acuity with the affected eye is usually reduced to the 20/40 – 20/80 range. The visual field examination usually reveals a dark spot in the center of the visual field (central scotoma). Examination with the ophthalmoscope shows a localized collection of fluid beneath the retina in the macular region. (The macular region is the specialized central portion of the retina that mediates fine visual discrimination.) Special photography of the retina following the injection of sterile fluorescein solution into a vein (fluorescein angiography) reveals the anatomical defect and confirms the diagnosis.
Although many cases of central serous choroidopathy resolve in time without specific medication or surgery, a certain percentage may require laser photocoagulation to bring about resolution of the condition.