Subretinal fibrosis and nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE

To report the rare occurrence of subretinal fibrosis in patients with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy and evaluate the role of systemic corticosteroids and the effects of laser photocoagulation on multifocal leaks.

METHODS

A total of 29 patients (mean age, 37.7 years; 89.7% male) treated for subretinal fibrosis and multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy from 1983-1995 were reviewed retrospectively. Mean follow up was 26 months (range, 6.8-81 months).

RESULTS

Retinal detachment involved the macula in 72.4% cases. Fluorescein angiography showed a mean of 6.7 (range, 2-22) central serous chorioretinopathy leaks and a mean of 1.8 (range, 1-5) retinal pigment epithelial detachments. The fundus pictures of 23 patients who were taking systemic corticosteroids showed no improvement. Following laser treatment, however, retinal reattachment was obtained in all eyes, and improvement in visual acuity of > 2 Snellen lines was noted in 68.9% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of subretinal fibrosis with secondary retinal detachment in otherwise healthy young patients, particularly in men, should alert the physician to look for multifocal central serous retinopathy leaks. Systemic corticosteroids did not prove effective in treating these patients, although laser treatment is recommended for each leak identified on an angiogram.