Corticosteroid-induced central serous chorioretinopathy in a pemphigus vulgaris patient

Corticosteroids are effective and relatively inexpensive medications used worldwide for multiple inflammatory diseases. Their use is marred by several well-established side effects, including hyperglycemia, weight gain, osteoporosis, monomorphic corticosteroid-induced acne, gastrointestinal disturbances, cataract, and glaucoma. We report a 29-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris who achieved disease control with high-dose oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. While on treatment, he developed blurring of vision from 1 eye and was found to have central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). The condition was attributed to high-dose corticosteroid use by the ophthalmologist, who advised discontinuation of the offending drug as soon as possible. A rapid taper of corticosteroids was initiated to preserve vision while maintaining disease control. To our knowledge, CSCR has not been previously described in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris or other cutaneous immunobullous disorders in the English medical literature. This case aims to raise awareness of this rare ocular complication, which, if left untreated, can result in permanent vision loss.