Long-term follow-up of central serous retinopathy in 150 patients

To study the evolution of the retinal pigment epithelial lesions in the central serous retinopathy, the authors studied 150 patients with ages between 20 and 49 years at the first examination, during periods varying between 6 months and 14 years. It was found a greater incidence of the disease in the males (83.3%); bilaterality in 23.3%; only one point of leakage in 62.7%; 3 different types of diffusion (inkblot 71.4%; mushroom 23.8%; with serous pigment epithelial detachment 4.9%). The final visual acuity was < 20/40 in a quarter of the cases and the frequency of the recurrences was 30%. The laser treatment did not influence the recurrences. In 50 patients with a follow-up superior to 3 years, 8 (16%) developed lesions similar to those described as diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy with visual field defects and subnormal EOG. Actuarial calculus suggests that 50% of the patients may get the most severe and extensive form of the disease after 12 years of evolution. The results allow to conclude that the diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy is only the terminal state of the most severe cases of central serous retinopathy.