Central serous retinopathy (CSR) can contribute to retinal detachment and potentially cause vision loss. Since it can progress rapidly, it’s a condition best managed when caught early, which is why narrowing down the risk factors is so vital. With that in mind, a team of researchers looked into risk factors for the condition, so that optometrists may be able to identify likely candidates before they start to develop visual symptoms.

Using national insurance databases, the investigators reviewed hundreds of diagnoses of CSR between 2007 and 2015. Their research shows middle-aged males with recent steroid exposure were significantly likely to develop CSR. Other risk factors include patients with diabetes and diabetic macular edema (DME) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Previous research suggested that hypertension, pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease all have associations with CSR; however, the current research shows those conditions all had lower risks than diabetes, DME, AMD or recent steroid exposure. An additional finding shows glaucoma is significantly associated with lower risk of CSR.