Clinical characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy in patients by age

Purpose To investigate the clinical characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with age. Study design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Methods One-hundred and forty-seven CSC patients were classified into three age groups (aged <50 years (younger group; n=53), 50-70 years (middle group; n=68), and >70 years (senior group; n=26)) and the characteristics were compared. Bilateral ophthalmic evaluation included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalents, fundus examination, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography. Results The male/female ratio became lower at more advanced ages (P=0.011). Bilateral macular abnormalities were observed more frequently in the senior group than the other groups (p=0.018) and multiple drusen were characteristic in the senior group (p<0.0001). The more advanced age groups displayed a worse BCVA (P=0.002). The rate of eyes with flat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation on OCT was significantly higher in the middle group than the other groups (P=0.024). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) was thickest in the younger group (P<0.0001). Unifocal leakage on FA and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability were mostly found in eyes of the younger group (P<0.001,P=0.020). Conclusion CSC cases in those aged >70 years were associated with an increased proportion of women and having bilateral macular abnormalities, multiple drusen, and multifocal leakage sites. The BCVA and the SCT decreased with age. Patients with CSC aged 50-70 years had the highest rate of flat RPE elevation on OCT. These characteristics need to be considered to make an accurate diagnosis, particularly in elderly patients.

Automated summary

With increasing age, the male/female ratio of CSC patients decreases, especially in those aged over 70, who are more likely to have bilateral macular abnormalities and multiple drusen. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) decrease with age, while patients aged 50-70 have the highest rate of flat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation on OCT.