Central serous retinopathy occurs when you have bleeding under the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining on the back of your eye. Doctors do not know the exact cause for central serous retinopathy, but high stress levels may increase your risk for the condition. Vitamin K levels could play a role in the amount of bleeding that occurs with the condition, and if you have a condition that affects these levels, you should know the possible risks.
Symptoms
If you have central serous retinopathy, you will likely have the condition in only one eye. Symptoms of central serous retinopathy typically include change to your central vision in the affected eye. You may also note that objects you know to have straight lines, such as telephone poles or street lamps, may appear bent or curved. If you cover the eye unaffected by the condition, you may notice the eye with central serous makes objects look smaller or farther away, explains MedlinePlus. As the condition resolves, either with time or treatment, your vision will likely return to normal.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a nutrient your body requires to help control the clotting factor of your blood. If you do not have the appropriate levels of vitamin K, your blood may not clot fast enough, and you will have an increased risk for bleeding. In the instance of central serous retinopathy, a vitamin K deficiency may increase the amount of bleeding under the retina.
Anti-Coagulant Medications
If you take blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin or warfarin, you have an increased risk for bleeding, and this may affect the bleeding that occurs with central serous retinopathy. Eating foods rich in vitamin K may increase the effects of these blood thinning medications, and this could put you at further risk for bleeding. Your doctor may recommend consuming only a small amount of food each day with vitamin K. She may also recommend that you eat the same amount of vitamin K each day, such as 1 cup of cooked spinach every day, and she will adjust your anti-coagulant medication accordingly. This may help reduce the risk of bleeding related conditions such as central serous retinopathy.
Considerations
Changes in your vision require immediate evaluation by an eye doctor. In some cases, central serous may require treatment, and early detection may aid in reducing the bleed. Your eye doctor will put eye drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils, and she will examine your retina. She may also take pictures of the back of your eye that will show the bleeding under the retina, and this will help her determine any necessary treatment.
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