Factors associated with reduced visual acuity during long-term follow-up of patients with idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To investigate factors associated with reduced visual acuity during long-term follow-up of patients with idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC). Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series that included patients with ICSC who were younger than 50 years of age at the time of initial examination and were followed up for ≥3 years. Results: The mean follow-up for 101 involved eyes of 61 patients was 9.8 years (median, 8.0 years). Eyes were stratified into two groups based on visual acuity at the final examination: Group 1, visual acuity of 20/40 or better; and Group 2, visual acuity of worse than 20/40. Findings identified as potential risk factors for reduced vision at the final follow-up examinations for Group 1 versus Group 2 included the following: macular retinal pigment epithelium atrophy (90.8% versus 96.0%, respectively; P = 0.68); persistent pigment epithelial detachment or persistent subretinal fluid (5.3% versus 28.0%, respectively; P = 0.004); recurrences (39.5% versus 68.0%, respectively; P = 0.020); laser treatment (28.9% versus 32.0%, respectively; P = 0.80); and submacular choroidal neovascularization (0.0 versus 8.0%, respectively; P = 0.059). Conclusions: Factors associated with reduced visual acuity during long-term follow-up of patients with ICSC included persistent pigment epithelial detachment and/or subretinal fluid, recurrences, and submacular choroidal neovascularization.