The evaluation of acute vision loss: central serous chorioretinopathy

Acute vision loss is frightening to patients and may represent serious pathology that is irreversible if not intervened upon quickly. We present a case of a 36-year-old man with sudden onset of unilateral painless central visual disturbance described as flashes of light. His emergency department examination was normal, and an ophthalmologic consult found fluid accumulation in the subretinal space on optical coherence tomography, confirming a diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy. Central serous chorioretinopathy is a poorly understood disease associated with type A personality and elevated glucocorticoids. Although there is no proven treatment regimen for acute disease, vision problems usually resolve. Some patients have recurrent episodes that can lead to permanent visual loss