To evaluate the long-term oral mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRa) treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).
Patients with chronic non-resolving CSC (defined as foveal subretinal fluid (SRF) lasting >4 months with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) alterations) treated with MRa only (eplerenone or spironolactone) for at least 6 months were retrospectively included. Clinical and imaging characteristics were recorded during visits at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.
Sixteen eyes of 16 patients were included (mean age 53±11 years; 14 men, 2 women). Mean duration of SRF before treatment initiation was 11.2±19.7 months. MRa treatment was administered during 21.0±5.1 months (range, 10-24 months). There was a progressive improvement of visual acuity (p=0.05), a decrease of foveal SRF height (p=0.011), central macular thickness (p=0.004) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (p=0.002) over 24 months. Changes in SRF were correlated with subfoveal choroidal thickness at 24 months (p=0.006, Spearman r=065). The mean time to complete foveal SRF resolution was 10.5±8.0 months after treatment initiation. At 24 months, foveal SRF resolution was achieved in 13 eyes (81%). Minor side effects occurred in five patients (31%) and resolved after switching between MRa.
The visual and anatomical benefit of MRa treatment prolonged for 6 months or more in chronic, non-resolving CSC appeared to be maintained over a 24-month period. These results suggest that MRa can be proposed as an alternative therapy in severe CSC with advanced RPE alterations.