Paraproteinemias associated with serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium and neurosensory retina.

BACKGROUND

Serous retinal and retinal pigment epithelial detachments resembling central serous chorioretinopathy developed in three patients who had paraproteinemias.

METHODS

The patients in this study were examined at two institutions, and their charts, photographs, and fluorescein angiograms were reviewed by the authors. Two patients had cryoglobulinemia and one had lgA, lgM benign gammopathy.

RESULTS

These patients had decreased central visual acuity and metamorphopsia at the initial examination. All three patients were women. Two patients were taking systemic corticosteroids in tapering doses at the time of the initial examination. The multiple serous retinal pigment epithelial and retinal detachments were unilateral in one patient and bilateral in two patients. Two patients were treated with laser photocoagulation because of chronic visual loss and foveal detachments. At the most recent examination, each patient had visual acuity of 20/30 or better in both eyes and complete resolution of subretinal fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with paraproteinemia may develop multiple serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium and of the neurosensory retina. The chorioretinopathy in these patients may have been related to their paraproteinemia, type A personality, corticosteroid use, or a combination of these factors. The final visual acuity in these three patients was good.