Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Iris Fixation via External Pentagram Suturing
Published on: May 5, 2022
Severe bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy in a black patient: 16 years follow-up
John M Katsimpris1, Constantin J Pournaras, Carlos W Sehgelmeble
1Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Patras Agios Andreas, 26110, Patras, Greece. jkatsimpris@yahoo.com
Insights
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) can present severely and impact vision long-term, especially in black patients. Chronic CSC cases show persistent activity and require advanced imaging for monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Choroidoretinal Diseases
Background:
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is typically a self-limiting condition.
- However, atypical presentations can lead to significant visual impairment.
Observation:
- A case report details a 50-year-old black male with severe, bilateral, chronic CSC over 16 years.
- Initial presentation showed asymmetry with serous retinal detachment and RPE alterations.
- Progressive atrophy and persistent activity in both eyes led to severe vision loss.
Findings:
- The patient experienced multiple remissions and exacerbations of CSC.
- Significant visual acuity reduction occurred due to posterior pole atrophy.
- Indocyanine-green angiography revealed lesions not apparent on other imaging modalities.
Implications:
- This case highlights that CSC can be exceptionally severe and sight-compromising.
- Long-term follow-up with advanced imaging like indocyanine-green angiography is crucial for managing severe CSC.
- Understanding atypical CSC presentations is vital for patient management and prognosis.
Purpose:
To describe the exceptionally severe, bilateral, sight-compromising course of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in a black patient.
Design:
Observational case report.
Methods:
We reviewed the clinical and angiographic findings of a 50-year-old black male patient with severe bilateral chronic CSC.
Results:
The first attack was recorded 16 years earlier and it was asymmetrical. In OD, only retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) alterations were detected, while in OS there was a large serous retinal detachment with two smaller RPE detachments. Visual acuity (VA) was 1.0 OD and 0.6 OS. Gradually, after multiple remissions and exacerbations, a huge area of atrophy occupied the posterior pole OS, leading to a dramatic decrease of VA (0.02). The lesions also progressed and remained active in OD (VA 0.2).
Conclusions:
CSC can be exceptionally severe, non-benign, sight-compromising, with multiple remissions and exacerbations during the lifetime. Indocyanine-green angiography is useful for the long-term follow-up in severe cases, showing lesions that are not obvious in fluorescein angiography or funduscopy.
