Matteo Piovella, president of the Italian Society of Ophthalmology (Soi), answers
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a disease of the retina that is generally not serious but which can cause a lot of concern to those who suffer from it because it is often anxious and easy to stress people. The disease prefers males between the ages of 30 and 50. When found in women, it is usually the result of cortisone therapies. In CSC, a collection of fluid appears below the central portion of the retina (macula) without associated chorioretinal diseases. The reader’s request concerns precisely this pathology and in particular the most suitable therapies. For other doubts about questions regarding ocular diseases, write to [email protected] we will reply, reporting the question to the specialist best suited to the problem reported.
I am 39 years old and I was recently diagnosed with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy which a few days ago was declared chronic. I took a supplement based on Bromelain, extracts of Turmeric, Artemisia, Pineapple and Black Pepper and a decongestant eye drops for about two months without the lifting being reabsorbed. The doctor also pointed out that, due to the position of the lift, the low threshold laser is not feasible and indicated me as the elective treatment Photodynamic Therapy. Which are the best specialized centers (public or affiliated) that have the appropriate equipment?
Simone Aprea
Central serous chorioretinopathy is a disease of the retina that affects the macular and paramacular area and causes a modest blurring of vision apart from the most demanding cases. The course varies from a few months to over a year. The cause is poorly identifiable, so much so that situations of strong stress or fatigue are generally involved. Therapies with antioxidants, lutein, diuretics, laser treatments, injection therapies or often the simple waiting for a spontaneous recovery that occurs in over 50% of cases are applied. Years ago, in persistent cases, photodynamic therapy was used but with little success. The introduction in 2012 of intravitreal therapies has in fact increasingly limited the use of photodynamic therapy until today where it is practically no longer normally performed. Today there are still some obsolete machines and the drug to be able to perform it is hardly available because it is now abandoned by the manufacturer itself. The new generations of ophthalmologists do not foresee the knowledge and use of photodynamic therapy in their training. You keep checking yourself. Today it is well-established practice to consult different ophthalmologists for resistant or slightly abnormal cases.