Gender variation in central serous chorioretinopathy

Eye (Lond). 2018 Nov;32(11):1703-1709. doi: 10.1038/s41433-018-0163-7. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Abstract

Background: Comparison of presentation and outcomes of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) between male and female subjects in different ethnic populations.

Methods: Retrospective comparison between male and female subjects with CSC was completed. Demographic details, clinical presentations, imaging features and treatment outcomes were compared at baseline and at last follow-up.

Results: This study included 155 male and 155 female subjects with a mean (CSD) age of 43.8 ± 10.3 and 57.0 ± 12.1 years, respectively, and a mean duration of follow-up of 8.49 ± 12.6 months. At presentation, there was no difference in visual acuity; however, visual acuity was significantly higher for female subjects at last follow-up (p = 0.02). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis showed that subretinal deposits (p < 0.001), hyperreflective foci (p = 0.001), retinal pigment epithelial detachment (p = 0.01) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) irregularities (p = 0.03) were higher in male subjects at presentation. Angiographic analysis showed that diffuse leakage and RPE tracts were common in males (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02). No significant differences in choroidal dilatation or diffuse choroidal leakages were noted.

Conclusions: Female subjects with CSC appear to have better outcomes, with less chances of diffuse RPE damage and other OCT features compared to males.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* / pathology
  • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* / physiopathology
  • Choroid / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Visual Acuity / physiology