Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in African Americans at Wilmer Eye Institute

To evaluate the frequency of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in African Americans/blacks within an academic center in a predominantly African American city, as the current belief is that CSC is rare in this population.

A retrospective review of all patients' charts diagnosed with CSC at Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins University from August 2009-August 2015 was conducted via an electronic health record search (EPIC). The charts were categorized by self-reported race and gender. The diagnosis was confirmed by multiple physician consensus through chart and imaging review. Fluorescein angiograms were classified as single versus multiple point leakage. OCTs were evaluated for subfoveal thickness, location of fluid, presence or absence of pigment epithelial detachment. Color photos were categorized as to the extent of retinal pigment epithelial changes.

Of the 590 charts identified via EPIC as CSC patients, 407 were confirmed as CSC through chart and imaging review. 45 patients (11.1%) were African Americans and 298 patients (73.2%) were Caucasians. Of all patients seen during the study period, 0.09% of African Americans at Wilmer had CSC and 0.18% of Caucasians had CSC. While three fold more Caucasians were seen during the study period as compared to African Americans, this study's prevalence rate in African Americans/blacks at Wilmer Eye Institute was half of that in Caucasian/whites.

CSC has been reported as exceedingly rare in African Americans, but our study suggests that CSC may be underestimated in this population. A large nationally representative population based study is needed to determine true racial prevalence to ensure that the diagnosis of CSC is not overlooked in African Americans.