Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (790 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A visual impairment characterized by the accumulation of fluid under the retina through a defect in the retinal pigment epithelium.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Central Serous Chorioretinopathies; Chorioretinopathies, Central Serous; Chorioretinopathy, Central Serous; Serous Chorioretinopathies, Central; Serous Chorioretinopathy, Central; Central Serous Retinopathy; Central Serous Retinopathies; Retinopathies, Central Serous.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Retinal Diseases
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,047 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Central Serous Chorioretinopathy” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 1,033 of them (50.5%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 1,033 records.
Reviews account for 164 records (8.0%) and meta-analyses for 39. Randomized controlled trials number 70 (3.4%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 29 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,007 |
| 2020 onward | 1,033 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 164 | 8.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 39 | 1.9% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 70 | 3.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Central Serous Chorioretinopathy"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in eye, ear, nose and throat
Eye, hearing, nose and throat studies rely on specialist tests (visual acuity, eye pressure, audiograms, scopes) and on patient-reported symptoms, which vary between people and with age. Some conditions improve without treatment, so comparison groups matter. Nothing on this page is advice about diagnosis or treatment; sudden loss of sight or hearing needs urgent care from a qualified clinician. Check how the outcome was tested, the age of the people studied and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pachychoroid disease: review and update | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 73 | cc by PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466 |
| A new insight into pachychoroid diseases: Remodeling of choroidal vasculature | 2022 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 73 | cc by PMID 35575932 · DOI · PMC9581833 |
| Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 28 | cc by PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308 |
| Intravitreal injections of corticosteroid and the risk of central serous chorioretinopathy | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 41911264 · DOI · PMC13035135 |
Pachychoroid disease: review and update [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The pachychoroid disease spectrum is a phenotype characterized by alterations in choroidal vasculature which result in outer retinal and choriocapillaris damage and visual loss.
- Closing excerpt
- We have summarized notable treatment trials in central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and included an update of the current diagnostic and management strategies of the entities that are part of the pachychoroid disease spectrum.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (148 words)
The pachychoroid disease spectrum is a phenotype characterized by alterations in choroidal vasculature which result in outer retinal and choriocapillaris damage and visual loss. The presence of pachyvessels is one of the key features of the pachychoroid phenotype. Recent imaging studies suggest that pachyvessels may form because of choroidal venous congestion in one or more quadrants. The formation of intervortex anastomosis may function as a compensatory mechanism to dissipate the increased venous pressure, while outflow obstruction has been hypothesized to occur at the site of the vortex vein exiting the sclera. This review aims to summarize recent imaging findings and discuss evolution in the understanding of pathogenesis of the pachychoroid disease spectrum. We have summarized notable treatment trials in central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and included an update of the current diagnostic and management strategies of the entities that are part of the pachychoroid disease spectrum.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466
A new insight into pachychoroid diseases: Remodeling of choroidal vasculature [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposePachychoroid spectrum diseases are regarded as being different manifestations of a common pathogenic process.
- Closing excerpt
- Remodeling of the venous drainage route though the anastomosis across the watershed zones is apparently a common response to chronic vortex vein stasis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (258 words)
PurposePachychoroid spectrum diseases are regarded as being different manifestations of a common pathogenic process. We suggest that pachychoroid diseases are consequences of chronic vortex vein stasis.MethodsWe describe how we came to this conclusion based on our own recent reports as well as a search of the related literature.ResultsCentral serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is the first stage of pachychoroid spectrum diseases. CSC is caused by congestion of choroidal veins, which are branches of the vortex veins. The venous outflow tract of the choroid is divided into four quadrants, based on horizontal and vertical watershed zones, with one or two vortex veins in each quadrant being independently responsible for venous outflow. In acute CSC, vortex vein stasis frequently causes asymmetric dilatation of the vortex veins in the horizontal watershed. The area of geographic filling delay in the choriocapillaris coincides with the area of this asymmetrically dilated vortex veins. With chronic stasis of the vortex veins, venous anastomosis occurs in the watershed zone as a means of compensating for the stasis, and the choriocapillaris becomes occluded in the area of filling delay. The anastomotic vessels dilate, becoming often hyperpermeable, and are then recognizable as pachyvessels. With the development of choriocapillaris ischemia, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) occurs at the site of pachyvessels. This is termed pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is regarded as a variant of PNV.ConclusionsIntervortex venous anastomosis is among the key factors underlying the development of pachychoroid diseases. Remodeling of the venous drainage route though the anastomosis across the watershed zones is apparently a common response to chronic vortex vein stasis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35575932 · DOI · PMC9581833
Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common disorder characterized by serous retinal detachment.
- Closing excerpt
- This review summarizes updated information on the close relationship between CSC pathogenesis and the sclera.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (165 words)
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common disorder characterized by serous retinal detachment. Several studies using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have revealed that choroidal filling delay, choroidal vascular dilation, and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability are the characteristic findings of CSC. These ICGA findings confirm that choroidal circulatory disturbances are the primary factors in the pathogenesis of CSC. With advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT), choroidal thickness has been found to be significantly greater in eyes with CSC than in normal eyes. Dilated large choroidal vessels reportedly account for the thickened choroid in eyes with CSC. Although many possible mechanisms and risk factors have been suggested, the pathophysiologic features of choroidal circulatory disturbances and choroidal thickening in eyes with CSC have not yet been fully elucidated. Recently, using anterior segment OCT, we proposed that the sclera may induce choroidal circulatory disturbances since CSC eyes have significantly thicker sclera than do normal eyes. This review summarizes updated information on the close relationship between CSC pathogenesis and the sclera.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308
Intravitreal injections of corticosteroid and the risk of central serous chorioretinopathy [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is strongly associated with systemic corticosteroid use, but the risk following intravitreal steroid injections remains unclear, with limited evidence from isolated case reports.
- Closing excerpt
- Intravitreal corticosteroids showed no confirmed CSC cases over two decades with choroidal thinning rather than the thickening characteristic of CSC, suggesting distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and a favorable safety profile regarding CSC development.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (219 words)
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is strongly associated with systemic corticosteroid use, but the risk following intravitreal steroid injections remains unclear, with limited evidence from isolated case reports. This study evaluated the association between intravitreal steroid injections and CSC development using a dual-approach design with Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW) analysis and choroidal thickness validation. We performed CDW analysis of 2,336 patients receiving intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide or dexamethasone implant over 21 years (April 2003-October 2024), screening for CSC within 6 months post-injection. Additionally, we conducted detailed subfoveal choroidal thickness analysis in 269 eyes (January 2023-October 2024) at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection using optical coherence tomography. No confirmed CSC cases occurred in either cohort (0/2,336 patients, 95% CI: 0-0.13%; 0/269 eyes). Contrary to the choroidal thickening characteristic of CSC, both steroid formulations produced significant choroidal thinning at 1 month: dexamethasone implant (227.0 ± 65.4μm to 217.9 ± 62.0μm, p < 0.0001) and triamcinolone acetonide (219.8 ± 78.7μm to 218.6 ± 77.7μm, p < 0.0001). Only 4.9% of eyes showed ≥10% choroidal thickening, and none developed CSC features. Both formulations achieved significant macular edema reduction through 6 months. Intravitreal corticosteroids showed no confirmed CSC cases over two decades with choroidal thinning rather than the thickening characteristic of CSC, suggesting distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and a favorable safety profile regarding CSC development.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41911264 · DOI · PMC13035135
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Central serous chorioretinopathy: Recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis [5]
- Research article Central serous chorioretinopathy: update on pathophysiology and treatment [6]
- Research article Central serous chorioretinopathy: Towards an evidence-based treatment guideline [7]
- Research article Central serous chorioretinopathy: a review of epidemiology and pathophysiology [8]
- Research article Venous overload choroidopathy: A hypothetical framework for central serous chorioretinopathy and allied disorders [9]
- Research article Central serous chorioretinopathy: An update on risk factors, pathophysiology and imaging modalities [10]
References
- Cheung CMG, Dansingani KK, Koizumi H, Lai TYY, Sivaprasad S, Boon CJF, et al.. Pachychoroid disease: review and update. . 2025. PMID 39095470 · DOI · PMC11933466
- Kishi S, Matsumoto H. A new insight into pachychoroid diseases: Remodeling of choroidal vasculature. . 2022. PMID 35575932 · DOI · PMC9581833
- Koizumi H, Imanaga N, Terao N. Central serous chorioretinopathy and the sclera: what we have learned so far. . 2024. PMID 39150610 · DOI · PMC11420308
- Song JR, Woo SJ. Intravitreal injections of corticosteroid and the risk of central serous chorioretinopathy. . 2026. PMID 41911264 · DOI · PMC13035135
- Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, Bousquet E, Zhao M, Farman N, et al.. Central serous chorioretinopathy: Recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2015. PMID 26026923 · DOI
- Nicholson B, Noble J, Forooghian F, Meyerle C. Central serous chorioretinopathy: update on pathophysiology and treatment. Surv Ophthalmol. 2013. PMID 23410821 · DOI · PMC3574296
- van Rijssen TJ, van Dijk EHC, Yzer S, Ohno-Matsui K, Keunen JEE, Schlingemann RO, et al.. Central serous chorioretinopathy: Towards an evidence-based treatment guideline. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2019. PMID 31319157 · DOI
- Liew G, Quin G, Gillies M, Fraser-Bell S. Central serous chorioretinopathy: a review of epidemiology and pathophysiology. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013. PMID 22788735 · DOI
- Spaide RF, Gemmy Cheung CM, Matsumoto H, Kishi S, Boon CJF, van Dijk EHC, et al.. Venous overload choroidopathy: A hypothetical framework for central serous chorioretinopathy and allied disorders. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2022. PMID 34029721 · DOI
- Kaye R, Chandra S, Sheth J, Boon CJF, Sivaprasad S, Lotery A. Central serous chorioretinopathy: An update on risk factors, pathophysiology and imaging modalities. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2020. PMID 32407978 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
See how EvidenceLib is built. Spotted an error? Email support@evidencehelix.com.
Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.