Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Mindfulness for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

This research study is investigating if mindfulness, a practice focusing on the present moment, can help people with an eye condition called Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC). CSC can cause blurred or distorted vision due to fluid under the retina. The study aims to find out if an 8-week mindfulness course can help reduce the time the condition lasts and improve symptoms. Researchers will also compare stress levels between people with CSC and those with healthy eyes, and see if mindfulness changes these stress-related factors. Participants will either do the mindfulness course or not, and attend regular eye check-ups to track their progress.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Enrolment target

100

Start

01 Oct 2026

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2030

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a condition called Central Serous Chorioretinopathy, often shortened to CSC. It’s an eye condition where fluid builds up under the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. This fluid can cause your vision to become blurry or distorted. While CSC often clears up on its own, it can sometimes take a long time, and some people have repeated episodes.

Researchers are interested in whether mindfulness could help people with CSC. Mindfulness is a way of focusing on the present moment and can involve things like meditation and breathing exercises. We know stress can sometimes play a role in eye conditions, so this study wants to see if an 8-week mindfulness course might help speed up recovery, improve vision, and reduce stress in people with CSC. It’s also looking at how stress-related factors differ between people with CSC and those with healthy eyes.

The study hopes to answer several questions: Can mindfulness really make a difference to the course of CSC? Do people with CSC find a mindfulness programme helpful and easy to stick with? If mindfulness works, does it change any stress-related factors in the body or mind? And what are these stress-related factors like in people with CSC compared to those without?

Key takeaways

This study explores if mindfulness can help people with an eye condition called Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC).
It aims to see if mindfulness shortens how long CSC lasts and improves vision.
Researchers will also study the link between CSC, stress, and how mindfulness might affect stress levels.
Participation involves either an 8-week mindfulness course or no mindfulness, plus regular eye check-ups for a year.
You must be an adult with active CSC (current episode under 6 months) and meet other health criteria.
Your involvement is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult over 18 years old. You must have active Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) in the central part of your eye, and your current episode must have started within the last six months. It can be your first time having CSC, or a new episode after a previous one.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've recently had certain eye treatments like laser for CSC, or injections into your eye. You also can't take part if you're currently using certain medications, like systemic steroids, or if you practice mindfulness regularly (more than twice a week) already. The study also cannot include you if you have other eye conditions that might affect your vision, such as severe cataracts or diabetic eye disease.

Some people without CSC are also needed for comparison. If you have healthy eyes and are an adult, you might be able to take part in just the comparison part of the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been diagnosed with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC) in the last six months?
Have you NOT had certain eye treatments for CSC, like laser or injections, recently?
Are you NOT currently taking medications like systemic steroids, or practicing regular mindfulness already?
Do you NOT have other serious eye conditions that affect your vision, like severe cataracts or diabetic eye disease?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will either be asked to do daily mindfulness practices for 8 weeks, which also includes joining group sessions every two weeks, or you will not do any mindfulness. Your involvement will include regular check-ups and tests at the research clinic. You'll need to visit once a month for the first six months, and then one final time at 12 months. During these visits, researchers will check your eye health and vision, and might also do some other tests related to stress. The total time you would be involved in the study would be about 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any research study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that the mindfulness course might help improve your CSC symptoms and your overall well-being by reducing stress. However, we don't yet know for certain if mindfulness is effective for CSC. There are no known direct physical risks from practicing mindfulness, but it might not be suitable for everyone. The eye tests are standard procedures and generally safe. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (6)

Bristol Eye Hospital
Verified postcode
Bristol, United Kingdom
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Verified postcode
Canterbury, United Kingdom
Clinical Eye Research Centre, St Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom
King's College London Frost Eye Departent, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
King's College Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
Hillingdon Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)?

CSC is an eye condition where fluid builds up under the retina at the back of your eye, which can cause blurred or distorted vision.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice that teaches you to focus on the present moment, often through breathing exercises and meditation, to help reduce stress.

Will I have to do mindfulness if I join?

Not necessarily. Some participants will do an 8-week mindfulness course, while others will not, allowing researchers to compare the results.

How long will I be in the study?

If you join, you'll be involved for about 12 months in total, with monthly visits for the first six months and one final visit at 12 months.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Olivia Cundy, BA, BMBCh

olivia.cundy@nhs.net 02032997791 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.