Angiographic characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy in an Egyptian population

To describe and analyze the demographic characteristics and to determine the angiographic features of acute central serous chorioretinopathy(CSCR) in an Egyptian population.

A series of consecutive patients presenting with acute idiopathic CSCR to Mansoura Ophthalmology Center Mansoura University who underwent fluorescein angiography (FA) within a 3-year-period (between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009) was retrospectively studied. Patient demographics and angiographic features were studied. Results were compared to those of other Western and Asian populations.

Fluorescein angiograms of 86 patients were analyzed. 91% were males. The age range of patients was 24 - 49 years, with a mean age of (38±6) years. The right eye was the presenting eye in 47% of patients. Eighty-seven percent of eyes showed delayed choroidal filling. Thirty-five percent of patients had more than one point of leakage. The macula was the most common site of fluorescein leakage seen in 79% of patients. Peripheral leakage was seen in 14% of patients while peripapillary leakage was seen in 12% of patients. The inkblot leakage pattern was found in 53% of patients. The presenting eye had RPE atrophic changes in 84% of cases. The other eye was assessed in 44 patients (51%). Fifty-five percent of them had signs of RPE atrophic changes.

In the Egyptian population, CSCR is seen at younger age with higher male-to-female ratio and more frequent smokestack leaks than other populations. Despite younger age group, this series of patient showed higher frequency of bilateral and multifocal disease compared to other studies. Roles of psychological stress and choroidal ischemia in pathogenesis of CSCR need further evaluation.