Helicobacter pylori as a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy: Literature review

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a Gram-negative bacterium, is one of the most frequent causes of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. It has been associated as a pathogen for the human body with many systemic diseases, including different eye diseases. We will focus on a specific eye disease called idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSCR). This disease is characterized by a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina in the macular region, which affects the vision to different degrees. Currently, the pathophysiology of ICSCR is not clear and there is no effective treatment. However, several potential risk factors have been elucidated. One of the factors that has more frequently been associated with ICSCR is stress. As H. pylori was identified as a possible etiological factor for occlusive arterial diseases in young people who were particularly stressed, it was thought that H. pylori might also be present in ICSCR. Therefore, some physicians started to test its presence in patents with ICSCR. If H. pylori happened to be associated with ICSCR, the treatment of gastrointestinal infection could also improve visual symptoms and help to remediate this eye disease. Although H. pylori is highly prevalent in the general population, a true correlation seems to exist. We present a review on the relationship between ICSCR and H. pylori.

Central serous chorioretinopathy: what we have learnt so far

“…Due to the limited evidences and difficulties to establish the true correlation between HP infection and CSCR because of the high prevalence of HP infection in general populations, prospective masked trials are needed to confirm the positive correlation and also the benefits of HP treatment to patients with CSCR (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ).…”

“…; Bae et al. ), where two of these three studies were included in a meta‐analysis that is mentioned in the PDT section (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ).…”

“…; Bae et al. ), half‐dose (HDPDT) (3 mg/m 2 ) (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ) and full‐fluence PDT (50 J/cm 2 ) (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ) due to the higher power of available evidences. For all types of PDT, verteporfin is usually infused over 8 or 10 min, followed by laser delivery at 689 nm at 10 or 15 min from the start of infusion.…”

“…A 2014 meta‐analysis had demonstrated a great summary of the effectiveness and safety of PDT as a treatment for CSCR in multiple aspects (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ). Nine reports that consisted of total 319 patients were included.…”

“…Laser photocoagulation is recognized to be an effective treatment for acute and chronic CSCR and is supported by randomized controlled trials performed in 1979 and 1983 (Leaver & Williams ; Robertson & Ilstrup ). A recent meta‐analysis concluded the inferiority of LP to PDT based on 1 retrospective and 1 prospective comparative case series (Mateo‐Montoya & Mauget‐Fayse ). Nonetheless, here, we will focus on the recent advances and discoveries in LP.…”