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Central serous maculopathy is a common condition that affects the central part of the retina, called the macula lutea. The etiology of the disease remains unknown, although we know that it appears after a small tear on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is a pigmented layer full of melanin, where the retinal photoreceptors are lying on.


Central serous maculopathyCentral serous maculopathy

In case of RPE's tear, there is a fluid which leak from a tissue layer located under the retina and is called the choroid. This layer tissue is full of blood vessels. The role of the RPE is to prevent any fluid leakage to pass to the retina. So, when there is any tear in the retinal pigment epithelium, it is inevitable for the choroidal fluid to pass into the retinal cells. The result is a small retinal detachment in the central area of the retina (the macula).

This condition resembles with serous blisters that appear at the skin, due to allergies. These blisters are created by the same mechanism as the central serous retinopathy, which means that there is a fluid collection under the skin surface that causes separation of the skin layers.

Central serous retinopathy affects mostly males at the of 20-45. It is believed that stress is a very dangerous factor that causes this condition. There are many researchers who indicate that mental stress plays important role in onset of the disease.

The good news is that the condition is self treated in most cases, but it can appears again.

Rare it can lead to permanent loss of central vision.