[Central serous chorioretinopathy in systemic therapy with corticosteroids].
OBJECTIVE
To describe retinal pigment epithelial changes associated with systemic corticosteroid treatment.


METHODS
We report on five patients who developed maculopathy during treatment with systemic corticosteroids. A thorough ophthalmologic examination including perimetry, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography was performed.


RESULTS
Three patients displayed focal and two patients showed diffuse retinal pigment epithelial changes comparable to the acute and chronic form of central serous chorioretinopathy, respectively. Four of five patients had a complete visual recovery after decrease or cessation of treatment with corticosteroids.


CONCLUSIONS
These five patients provide further evidence that systemic treatment with corticosteroids may damage the posterior blood-retinal barrier, leading to central serous chorioretinopathy. Visual acuity may increase after reduction of the dosage or cessation of treatment with corticosteroids. Patients on systemic corticosteroid treatment should be informed about possible symptoms of central serous chorioretinopathy in order to prevent irreversible visual loss.
Spraul
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CW
Lang
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Lang
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GK
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones