Pregnancy as a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Acta Ophthalmologica, vol.104, no.3, pp.259-266, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Review
- Volume: 104 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1111/aos.70013
- Journal Name: Acta Ophthalmologica
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, L'Année philologique, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Page Numbers: pp.259-266
- Keywords: central serous chorioretinopathy, meta-analysis, pregnancy, risk factor, systematic review
- Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Purpose: Pregnancy induces significant changes in the body, including increased peripheral and choroidal blood perfusion and an increased systemic corticosteroid level. Here, we systematically reviewed the evidence on pregnancy as a risk factor for developing central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and conducted a meta-analysis to obtain a summary estimate. Methods: We searched 12 literature databases on 16 February 2025 for epidemiological studies, which evaluated the potential association between pregnancy and CSC. All eligible studies were included for a qualitative review and a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was made using the random-effects model on the odds ratio (OR) of the association between pregnancy and CSC. Results: Four studies were eligible for our review. Of the 2766 individuals (1345 patients with CSC, 1391 controls) in these studies, females constituted 26%–64% of study populations in individual studies. The calculated summary estimate of pregnancy as a risk factor for CSC was OR 5.51 (95% CI: 2.12–14.30, p = 0.00046). Heterogeneity statistics suggested minimal to no heterogeneity (Cochran's Q = 0.72; I2 = 0%), the funnel plot was symmetrical and the sensitivity analysis suggested robustness of the estimates. Conclusion: Pregnancy appears to be a significant risk factor for CSC.