Central serous chorioretinopathy in patients receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is characterized by a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), or both, at the posterior pole. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disorder are still unknown. Several hypotheses have been proposed, including increased permeability of the choriocapillaris, defects in Bruch's membrane and a defect in the diffusion-barrier function of the RPE. Among the possible risk factors for CSCR, corticosteroids (endogenous or exogenous) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease.(1-8) We present 2 cases in which CSCR developed in patients given oral steroid therapy and resolved after treatment was stopped. The previously reported cases and possible effects of corticosteroids on CSCR pathogenesis are discussed.