Objective: To examine the potential association of central serous chorioretinopathy with endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome).
Design: Ophthalmologic survey of consecutively admitted patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome.
Setting: An eye clinic of a research center (National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md).
Patients: Sixty consecutive patients with confirmed endogenous Cushing's syndrome.
Main outcome measures: Findings from complete ophthalmologic evaluation.
Results: Three (5%) of 60 patients had one or more episodes of appropriately documented central serous chorioretinopathy. In all cases, the episodes occurred during the period of hypercortisolism.
Conclusions: Central serous chorioretinopathy is an uncommon manifestation of endogenous Cushing's syndrome. Since central serous chorioretinopathy has been associated with other hypercortisolemic states, we suggest that glucocorticoids may play a role in the development of this disease.