Association of central serous chorioretinopathy in young adults with consumption of energy drinks

To report the outcomes and association of energy drinks with vision changes and central serous chorioretinopathy in young adults. Retrospective observational analysis of 3 eyes of 3 young adults with significant social history of using energy drinks with high doses of caffeine and taurine presenting with sudden visual changes and central serous chorioretinopathy. All 3 patients are in the age range of 25 to 40 years of age with no past medical or ocular history. They all endorsed some stress but nothing unusual although all are consuming energy drinks with beyond the recommended dose of caffeine per day. Energy drinks include 5-hour energy drinks, Celsius drinks, and Red Bull energy drinks. They presented with acute changes in vision with visual acuity ranging from 20/40 to 20/60 given the size of the serous detachment. The Fundoscopic exam was positive for blunted foveal reflex with elevation of macula consistent with subretinal fluid. Optical coherence topography (OCT) confirmed the sensory detachment of the retina which was used for diagnosis, management, and follow-up care of the patients. The patients were followed monthly for six months with visual acuity, dilated fundus exam, and macular OCT. The primary treatment for all the patients was to stop and avoid energy drinks. In all patients the subretinal fluid regressed in six weeks to three months and vision was improved to baseline. We report on our cases with a review of current literature.