Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a condition characterized by macular edema and exudation, reduced vision, grayish-yellow shadows obstructing vision, or visual distortion. The condition may resolve on its own but is prone to recurrence. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls within categories such as “colored vision,” “straight lines appearing curved,” and “dim or blurred vision.”
TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision; grayish-yellow shadows in the visual field; objects appear smaller, and straight lines appear curved; macular edema, a halo at the edge, and loss of the foveal light reflex; may also be accompanied by chest tightness, abdominal fullness, poor appetite, loose stools, nausea, and vomiting. The tongue is pale with a white, greasy coating; the pulse is soggy or slippery.
In everyday terms:
- Things look blurred.
- Grayish-yellow shadows appear in front of the eyes and obstruct vision.
- Objects appear smaller than they really are.
- Straight lines look curved.
- The central area of the retina is swollen, with a halo around the edge.
- The central light reflex disappears.
- Chest tightness and abdominal fullness, poor appetite and loose stools, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.
- The tongue looks pale, with a thick, white coating.
- The pulse feels soft or slippery when palpated.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach; promote urination and drain dampness.
In everyday terms:
- Support digestion and the TCM concept of spleen function, with the aim of easing poor appetite, stomach bloating, belching, and abdominal fullness.
- Support fluid metabolism and excretion, with the aim of easing swelling, a feeling of heaviness, and reduced urine output.
|Related Products
The products below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision; brownish-yellow shadows in the visual field; objects appear smaller, and straight lines appear curved; macular edema with yellow-white punctate exudates, and an indistinct foveal light reflex; may also be accompanied by a heavy feeling in the head, chest tightness, reduced appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal fullness with phlegm, nausea, vomiting, and scant, dark urine. The tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating; the pulse is soggy and rapid or slippery and rapid.
In everyday terms:
- Things look blurred, and details are difficult to make out.
- Brownish-yellow shadows appear in front of the eyes and obstruct vision.
- Objects appear smaller than they really are.
- Straight lines look curved or distorted.
- The central area of the retina is swollen, with yellow-white pinpoint exudates.
- The central light reflex looks blurred, with reduced brightness.
- A heavy feeling in the head, chest tightness, poor appetite, and a bitter taste may occur; abdominal bloating, phlegm, nausea, vomiting, and scant, dark reddish urine may also be present.
- The tongue looks red, with a yellow, greasy coating.
- The pulse may feel soft and rapid, or rapid and slippery on palpation.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the spleen, resolve dampness, clear heat, and transform phlegm.
In everyday terms:
- Support digestion and the TCM concept of spleen function, and address dampness, with the aim of easing heaviness, fatigue, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, and loose stools.
- Address internal heat and phlegm, with the aim of easing cough with abundant, sticky phlegm, throat discomfort, and chest tightness.
|Related Products
The products below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision, shadows in the visual field, objects appearing smaller, and straight lines appearing curved; macular edema, sometimes with exudation; may also be accompanied by distending pain in the chest and flanks, dry mouth, and a dry throat. The tongue is pale red with a thin yellow coating; the pulse is wiry and rapid.
In everyday terms:
- Things look blurred, and details and edges are difficult to make out.
- Shadows obstruct vision and may be more noticeable when moving or using the eyes.
- Objects appear smaller than they really are, making their size seem distorted.
- Straight lines look curved, and shapes and proportions appear distorted.
- The central area of the retina is swollen and may also have exudative fluid.
- Distending pain in the chest and rib area and dryness in the mouth and throat may also occur.
- The tongue looks pale red overall.
- The tongue coating is thin and slightly yellow, rather than thick.
- The pulse feels taut and rapid, with a noticeably fast beat on palpation.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the liver and relieve constraint; clear heat and nourish the blood.
In everyday terms:
- Ease constrained qi, with the aim of easing fullness or tightness in the chest and flanks, frequent sighing, and feelings of emotional constraint.
- Address internal heat, with the aim of easing a bitter taste, dry throat, irritability, and red eyes or a sensation of pressure in the head.
- Nourish the blood, with the aim of addressing a poor complexion and fatigue and supporting the nourishment of the channels and tissues.
|Related Products
The products below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision, shadows in the visual field, objects appearing smaller, and straight lines appearing curved; dry, uncomfortable eyes; a prolonged or recurrent course; pigment changes in the macula, sometimes with a small amount of yellow-white exudate, and a dim foveal light reflex; may also be accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, dry throat and mouth, and soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees. The tongue is red with little coating; the pulse is wiry and thready.
In everyday terms:
- Things look blurred, and vision may seem unclear.
- Shadows obstruct vision and may be more noticeable when moving or using the eyes.
- Objects appear smaller than they really are.
- Straight lines look curved.
- The eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
- The condition may persist for a long time or recur repeatedly without readily improving.
- Pigment distribution in the macula may be irregular, sometimes with a small amount of yellow-white pinpoint exudate.
- The central light reflex in the macula appears dim.
- Dizziness, tinnitus, a dry throat and mouth, and soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees may also occur.
- The tongue looks red, with little or no visible coating.
- The pulse feels taut and fine.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the liver and kidneys; invigorate blood and support vision.
In everyday terms:
- Nourish the liver and kidneys in TCM, with the aim of easing soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
- Support blood circulation and address blood stasis, with the aim of easing stabbing or distending pain and areas of purplish discoloration.
- Support nourishment of the eyes and visual clarity, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision.
|Related Products
The products below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Jin Ming. Annotations on the TCM Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Ophthalmic Diseases [M]. 1st ed. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015: 127–130.
- Chen Guoxiao. TCM pattern identification and treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy [J]. Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2007, 39(4): 4–5.
- Ge Jian. Ophthalmology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2010: 312–313.
- Peng Qinghua. Ophthalmology in Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. 3rd ed. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012: 190–192.
- Ning Jiaotao, Yan Jiayu, Huang Yinghong. Clinical study of the spleen-strengthening, blood-invigorating, and water-draining method for central serous chorioretinopathy [J]. Journal of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014, 34(2): 50–52.
- Wei Baochao, Dai Yunyan, Li Li. Recent developments in TCM treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy [J]. New Chinese Medicine, 2014, 45(1): 129–131.
- Peng Qinghua, Peng Jun, Wu Quanlong, et al. Clinical study of the blood-invigorating and water-draining method for central serous chorioretinopathy [J]. International Eye Science, 2010, 10(7): 1284–1286.
- Xu Ximing. Clinical effects of TCM pattern-based treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) [J]. Seeking Medical Advice, 2013, 11(12): 128–129.