Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Psychological Stress: A Case Series

Abstract Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a self-limiting retinal disorder involving neurosensory detachment at the macula, increasingly linked to psychological stress and emotional dysregulation. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, psychosomatic factors in CSCR remain overlooked. This case series includes three consecutive CSCR cases referred from the ophthalmology outpatient department for psychiatric assessment to explore psychosocial correlates, management, and clinical outcomes. Three patients diagnosed with CSCR were evaluated for stress-related triggers or recurrent disease using standard psychiatric interviews, psychometric scales, and multidisciplinary follow-up over 3 months. All cases exhibited significant psychological stress preceding ophthalmic symptoms, with distinct psychiatric profiles including occupational stress with Type A personality traits, subthreshold anxiety, and somatoform tendencies. Management involved psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and lifestyle modification, leading to clinical and psychological improvement. This underscores the role of psychiatric intervention in addressing stress-related triggers of CSCR. Early identification and treatment of underlying psychological factors can reduce recurrence risk and enhance visual prognosis. The cases presented reinforce the value of collaboration between ophthalmology and psychiatry in stress-related visual disorders.