Time-dependent recurrence and resolution of pigment epithelial detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy

Background Cortisol plays a role in the pathogenesis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). CSC patients have abnormal time-dependent changes in cortisol levels. Here we report a rare case of a patient with central serous chorioretinopathy whose pigment epithelial detachment (PED) exhibited time-dependent recurrence and resolution. Case presentation A 47-year-old man presented in 2016 for vision loss in the left eye related to recurrent CSC. During follow-up, his PED was observed to resolve spontaneously while he was still in our clinic and recurred the next morning. Such time-dependent changes of the PED were observed in several next follow-ups without any intervention. After excluding possible external factors, the abnormal diurnal variation of cortisol was considered as the internal factor affecting PED. Conclusions This is the first article that described the spontaneous time-dependent recurrence and resolution of PED without external interference, where endogenous cortisol may be responsible. Interventions against the abnormal cortisol level might be a potential treatment strategy for CSC. More research is urged to explore the impact of the diurnal change in cortisol levels on eyes with CSC.