Overview
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), also called central serous retinopathy (CSR), is an eye condition where fluid builds up under the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. This fluid causes a small blister-like pocket to form, usually in the central part of your vision (called the macula). When this happens, your central vision becomes blurry, distorted, or dimmed, even though the rest of your vision may seem fine. The condition is not caused by an injury and is not contagious. Most people with CSC are adults between the ages of 20 and 50, and men are affected much more often than women. The exact cause is not fully understood, but stress, high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and the use of steroid medications are known to play a big role. Many cases clear up on their own within a few months, but some people develop a chronic form that can cause lasting vision problems. Treatment options include watchful waiting for mild cases, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and medications that reduce fluid or cortisol levels. While most people recover good vision, those with the chronic form may have permanent changes to their central vision. Regular follow-up with an eye specialist is very important to protect your sight.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Blurry or hazy central visionStraight lines appearing wavy or bent (metamorphopsia)A dark or gray spot in the center of visionColors appearing washed out or less vividObjects appearing smaller than they really are (micropsia)Difficulty reading or doing close-up tasksMild dimming of vision in one eyeSlight decrease in sharpness of visionSensitivity to bright lightA feeling that something is in your eye or vision is 'off'
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
9 eventsSun Yat-sen University
Mohsen Pourazizi — PHASE2, PHASE3
Beijing Hospital
Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University — NA
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Radboud University Medical Center — PHASE3
Nova Eye Medical Pty Ltd. — NA
Helse Stavanger HF
Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Central serous chorioretinopathy.
5 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Central serous chorioretinopathy.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Central serous chorioretinopathy.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Central serous chorioretinopathy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Micropulse Laser Treatment
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Central serous chorioretinopathy
New recruiting trial: Steroid Eye Drops in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Central serous chorioretinopathy
New recruiting trial: the Study of the Association Between the Gut Microbiota and Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Central serous chorioretinopathy
New recruiting trial: Choroidal Blood Flow in Acute and Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Central serous chorioretinopathy
New recruiting trial: Subthreshold Nanosecond Laser for Non-resolving Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Central serous chorioretinopathy
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my case acute or chronic, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Should I stop any steroid medications I am currently taking, and how do I do that safely?,What are the risks and benefits of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for my specific situation?,How often do I need follow-up appointments, and what tests will be done each time?,What warning signs should make me call you or go to the emergency room right away?,Are there lifestyle changes — like stress reduction or diet — that could help my condition?,What is the chance that my vision will fully recover, and what can I do to protect my sight long-term?
Common questions about Central serous chorioretinopathy
What is Central serous chorioretinopathy?
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), also called central serous retinopathy (CSR), is an eye condition where fluid builds up under the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. This fluid causes a small blister-like pocket to form, usually in the central part of your vision (called the macula). When this happens, your central vision becomes blurry, distorted, or dimmed, even though the rest of your vision may seem fine. The condition is not caused by an injury and is not contagious. Most people with CSC are adults between the ages of 20 and 50, and men are affected much m
How is Central serous chorioretinopathy inherited?
Central serous chorioretinopathy follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Central serous chorioretinopathy typically begin?
Typical onset of Central serous chorioretinopathy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Central serous chorioretinopathy?
Yes — 5 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Central serous chorioretinopathy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Central serous chorioretinopathy?
25 specialists and care centers treating Central serous chorioretinopathy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.