Hypercortisolism induced atypical central serous chorioretinopathy in pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy can cause changes in the functioning of the eye in health and in disease, just as it modifies other non-reproductive systems of the body. Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a relatively common retinal disease characterized by the accumulation of sub retinal fluid at the posterior pole of the fundus, creating a circumscribed area of serous retinal detachment. It typically affects young and middle-aged men with no previous medical and family history, and no systemic symptoms or signs. However, pregnancy, predisposed by endogenous hypercortisolism, probably represents a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy.1 Many cases of central serous chorioretinopathy have been described during or following treatment with glucocorticoids, administrated by any route, for various systemic or ocular conditions, when the CSCR is generally atypical, bilateral and has less male prelidiction.2 We present here the nuances of a case of a concomitant endogenous hypercortisolism (pregnancy) and exogenous hypercortisolism (treatment with oral corticosteroids) leading to a unilateral, atypical CSCR with sub retinal exudates in a 26 year old second gravida.