Seasonal variation linked to central serous chorioretinopathy incidence

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Acta ophthalmologica Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 Study authors: Hutamadella I Made Ferdiko, Ørnberg Emil, Breazzano Mark P, Cehofski Lasse Jørgensen, Cheung Chui Mi… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD · Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic

Key Takeaway

CSC incidence rises in spring and autumn, suggesting seasonal patterns in working-age adults.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 907 participants examined seasonal variation in the incidence of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). The study focused on working-age adults, particularly men aged 30 to 60 years, and compared incidence rates across seasons with summer as the baseline comparator.

Results showed a significantly increased incidence of CSC in spring, with an odds ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.18-1.73; p = 0.0003). Autumn also demonstrated a notable rise, with an OR of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02-1.48; p = 0.03). In contrast, winter showed no significant difference from summer, with an OR of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.80-1.19; p = 0.80).

These findings indicate that CSC incidence may follow a seasonal pattern, peaking in spring and autumn. The analysis did not report absolute numbers or safety data, and the setting and follow-up were not specified. The study highlights the need for further research into environmental and physiological mechanisms that could drive these seasonal trends.

Limitations include the lack of detailed data on absolute incidence rates and potential confounding factors. The authors note that additional studies are required to explore how seasonal changes might influence CSC development in at-risk populations.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

Sample sizen = 907

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

PMID41347764

View Original Abstract ↓

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a chorioretinal disease characterised by serous subretinal fluid (SRF) in the macula, resulting in sudden central vision loss. It predominantly affects working-age adults, particularly men aged 30 to 60 years. Its multifactorial pathophysiology is modulated by systemic factors, such as corticosteroid use, psychological stress, and hypertension. Previous studies suggest that broader environmental influences, including seasonal variation, may contribute to disease onset. This study aimed to systematically review and analyse the evidence on seasonal variation in CSC incidence. A systematic search was conducted across 10 databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science Core Collection, Current Contents Connect, Data Citation Index, Derwent Innovations Index, KCI-Korean Journal Database, ProQuest™ Dissertations and Theses Citation Index, and SciELO Citation Index) on 22 June 2025. Eligible studies included observational designs reporting CSC incidence or frequency across seasons; case reports and reviews were excluded. Five studies, with 907 participants in total, met the inclusion criteria. Three studies with sufficient data were included in quantitative meta-analysis, while the remaining two conference abstracts were included in the qualitative synthesis. Seasonal variation in CSC incidence was reported across studies. Meta-analysis using summer as the reference season showed a significantly increased incidence of CSC in spring (OR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.18-1.73; p = 0.0003) and autumn (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02-1.48; p = 0.03). No significant difference was found for winter (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.80-1.19; p = 0.80). The remaining 2 studies not included in the meta-analysis also reported seasonal trends consistent with these findings. The findings indicate a significant seasonal variation in CSC incidence, with a consistently increased risk during spring and autumn compared with summer. Further research is needed to examine how seasonal environmental and physiological mechanisms may contribute to CSC development.