Central serous chorioretinopathy responds to sleep apnea treatment A case of bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) that rapidly resolved with treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is reported.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the airways resulting in the cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. Between the ages of 30 and 60 years, 9% of women and 24% of men are afflicted with this sleep disorder. The incidence of sleep apnea is highest in men who are overweight and middle-aged or older. Several optic nerve disorders have been associated with OSA, including nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, and papilledema. Among retinal disorders, OSA has been associated with a higher risk of retinal vein occlusion, central serous chorioretinopathy, and diabetic retinopathy.

In this case report, the patient suffered bilateral decreased vision to 20/30 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye due to typical CSCR lesions. Systemic evaluation led to a diagnosis of OSA, which was treated and resulted in rapid resolution of the CSCR and improvement of visual acuity in both eyes.

The authors state that this case is the first reported case of rapidly resolving bilateral CSCR due to the treatment of OSA.

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU: Sleep apnea has been associated with CSC, and now it has been reported that treatment of sleep apnea can speed resolution of CSC. Although this is just a single case report, and needs to be confirmed by additional research, it does indicate a need to consider sleep apnea in the management of patients with CSC.

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Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010 Jan 5. [Epub ahead of print]