Central serous chorioretinopathy and HIV

Patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) have sudden-onset, painless, uniocular blur that is typically diagnosed via fundus and fluorescein angiographic appearance. The etiology and pathophysiology are not fully understood; however, there may be an association with an infectious etiology. This article presents two cases of HIV-positive patients in whom central serous chorioretinopathy developed and discusses the possible relationship between the two cases. The differential diagnosis, clinical features, angiographic appearance, management options, and proposed etiologies of CSC will be presented.

A 34-year-old black man HIV reported to the eye clinic with decreased vision in his right eye. A diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) was made on the basis of the clinical and fluorescein appearance. He is currently being monitored for resolution. A 44-year-old black man with profoundly compromised immunity also came to the eye clinic with CSC and HIV retinopathy. He later progressed to CMV retinitis and subsequently died.

Although considered in many cases to be idiopathic, central serous chorioretinopathy has been associated with infectious etiologies, one of which could be HIV.