[Central serous chorioretinopathy and psychological stress]

Abstract

Background: To date we know little about the etiology of central serous chorioretinopathy. Former investigations discussed inadequate coping strategies and critical life-events as important psychological aspects. In this study we investigated the relationship between central serous chorioretinopathy and stress.

Materials and methods: 35 male patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (group 1) were compared to 21 male patients with traumatic eye diseases. The evaluated data included sociodemographic data as well as data regarding the patients coping strategies, critical live-events before outbreak of the disease, personality factors and general physical complaints.

Results: Group 1 showed a significantly higher amount of general physical complaints, measured with a complaints questionnaire (B-L). In a personality inventory (FPI-R) it scored significantly higher on the scales emotional instability and strain, significantly lower on the scale extraversion.

Conclusion: The results indicate that patients with central serous chorioretinopathy are more stressed because of inadequate coping strategies, which can be seen in a higher amount of physical complaints.