Background: Corticosteroids are under suspicion of playing an important role in the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).
Patients and methods: In a prospective study the course of CSC was evaluated in a consecutive series of 46 patients, who received the diagnosis of CSC in the period 4 / 2004 - 12 / 2005. Data analysis was focused on the complete medical and ocular history and the ocular course of this disease.
Results: 27 patients had been taking exogenous corticosteroids (oral, intravenous, inhalative, cutaneous and intraarticular) within 4 weeks before onset of symptoms. Additionally, one case with Cushing's disease and 2 pregnant women were included. These 30 / 46 patients with steroid association presented bilateral involvement in 21 cases (70 %) and angiographically more than one leakage point in 10 cases (33 %). In 16 / 46 patients without history of taking exogenous corticosteroids bilateral involvement was seen in 2 / 16 cases (13 %) and multiple leakages in only one case (6 %). CSC resolved spontaneously in 25 / 46 patients within 2 - 6 months. In 21 / 46 patients recurrences were documented either in the eye, which was primarily affected or in the other one. In this group of recurrent CSC all 8 patients were included who did not discontinue the use of systemic corticosteroids.
Conclusions: These results strongly support the association of steroid use with CSC. Unter systemic treatment with corticosteroids bilateral involvement and multilocular leakages seem to be more likely than without use of steroids. All patients in need of corticosteroids by any systemic route of administration should be informed of the associated risk.