Central Serous Retinopathy: Causes and Risk Factors

Central serous retinopathy, also called central serous chorioretinopathy or CSR, is the name for a buildup of fluid under the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. It's not always known what causes central serous retinopathy, but stress and the use of corticosteroid medications are two risk factors for it.

This article will review common causes and risk factors for central serous retinopathy.

Common Causes

Health experts are not entirely sure what causes central serous retinopathy. For now, they focus on risk factors that make someone more likely to develop central serous retinopathy.

Young, myopic (nearsighted) males are more likely to develop central serous retinopathy than others. Those with a greater degree of myopia are at a higher risk. CSR is also more common in people who are in their mid-40s. Yet anyone can develop the disease.

Stress

Stress has been shown to be a significant risk factor for developing central serous retinopathy. A 2021 study found that patients with central serous retinopathy had a higher level of reactivity to stressful life events than those without the condition. Patients with the condition also demonstrated fewer traits associated with emotional intelligence.

Lifestyle Risk Factors

Although the cause of central serous retinopathy is not clear, health experts associate certain risk factors with its development. Those risk factors include:

• Being pregnant
• Decongestant use, a type of medicine for nasal congestion
• Erectile dysfunction medication use
• Having an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune diseases result from the body attacking its own immune system)
• Having a Helicobacter pylori infection, a type of bacteria that affects the stomach
• Having certain kidney diseases, such as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High levels of cortisol in the body, a hormone released with stress that can develop into Cushing's syndrome
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, stopping and starting breathing repeatedly during sleep
• The release of catecholamines in the body, which are substances released during stress that include adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine
• Type A behavior, usually seen as aggressive, rushed, and competitive
• Using a drug containing corticosteroids, which treats inflammation in the body and can be taken orally or intranasally
• Using stimulants, which is a type of medicine that increases energy
• Using certain types of anticancer drugs

Sometimes, having a combination of these risk factors can increase your chance of developing central serous retinopathy.

Summary

There is not a lot known about the cause of central serous retinopathy. However, health researchers do know of several factors that may increase your risk for it, such as using corticosteroid medicines, being under a lot of stress, and having a type A personality. Men also experience central serous retinopathy more often than women. Young males who are nearsighted and have a type A personality are the most common group.

A Word From Verywell

Although the cause of central serous retinopathy is unclear, eye doctors are well versed in diagnosing and treating it. If you experience blurry vision and other symptoms associated with central serous retinopathy, set an appointment with an eye doctor to find out the exact cause. If you know you have central serous retinopathy, keep any follow-up appointments with your eye doctor.