Central Serous Retinopathy Experience on Estradiol

[BreeD]

Hi All,
A few days ago, I started experiencing blurry vision.  I went to my long time optometrist and disclosed to him my trans status as estrogen MIGHT be playing some role in my vision issue (blurry spot in the center of my vision...honestly I was worried about a clot).  We did a retina photo and my exams all came back fine.  He said if I was getting better it was likely just migraine halos, if not come back. 

I came back the next day unchanged and we did an OCT which revealed an anomaly.  The first thing out of his mouth was immediately stop estrogen...uh, well no, but go on.  He surmised my estradiol was causing vitreal traction that would eventually lead to a macular hole.  They had found medical literature to support this (my dr and the other optometrist in the office (a woman).

I protested.  Two weeks and two days I had at the direction of my GP gone off spironolactone.  I have been on one dose or another of both spironolactone and estrogen for 2.5 years!  Two weeks after stopping spironolactone this happens and it's estrogen's fault (something doesn't pass the sniff test here)?  The other optometrist continued researching and found spironolactone is actually one of the treatments for central serous retinopathy.  This is a condition that looks to me (someone who has only see an OCT image just recently) like exactly what I have.  The symptoms are identical to what I am experiencing (which makes me doubt how much experience in this area my optometrist has).

I have a call into my GP (who said she found some supporting evidence in medical literature for eye disease and estradiol) and suggested I see a retinal specialist.  I have a call in to them for Monday to get in ASAP.  I have NOT changed any of my meds except to put Spironolactone BACK into my rotation at 1/2 its previous dose (it was causing a very mild rash...probably aggravating psoriasis/eczema). 

I am wondering if any of you beautiful ladies who have been on Estradiol have had any trouble with central serous retinopathy.  Have any of your doctors ever linked it to estrogen? 

XOXO
Bree

[Dena]

No problems with that however I have found that estrogen over the period of a couple of years affects the shape of my eye and thus the prescription. The reverse also happened when I was off estrogen my prescription changed again. My eyes really went out of wack when I started puberty so glasses have been a part of almost all of my life. As the result, I am very aware when they start drifting and I need to get them adjusted.

[BreeD]

Hey @Dena,
Thanks so much for the reply.  My vision hasn't shifted yet...at least not any more than general.  There are hormone receptors in the eyes from my understanding so E and T can absolutely cause eye changes. 

I am not finding much on CSR/CSCR and estrogen except that only 1/4 - 1/3 of the cases are women (i.e. this is something that mostly happens to men).  While my physiology is unique because of 40 years of T, I can't help but think my current E dominance probably has little to no negative effect and potentially a positive one.  I am also sure there is a lot I don't know. 

I think mostly I am a bit shocked at the last Dr trying to tell me to abruptly stop my hormones with little to no supporting evidence.  I have a feeling that was steeped in cis-sexism, but I am hoping someone here has had the general experience of Central Serous Retinopathy who is also on E.  :-)