Synonyms: ciliochoroidal effusion or detachment, choroidal effusion or detachment
The condition is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the suprachoridal space, causing an elevation of the choroid. The choroidal venous system becomes congested secondary to compression that results from thickening of the sclera, usually due to deposition of glycosaminoglycans.
Clinical features:
(1) The patient is typically middle-aged and often male.
(2) The course is often relapsing, remitting and chronic.
(3) The patient develops shifting subretinal fluid that may affect the macula.
(4) The patient may develop a ciliochoroidal retinal detachment.
(5) Pigment may accumulate in the retinal epithelium (leopard spot).
(6) Visual acuity may become permanently reduced.
Diagnostic tests may include:
(1) ultrasonography
(2) optical coherence tomography
(3) fluorescein angiography
Other conditions should be excluded when making the diagnosis.
