Half-fluence photodynamic therapy in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Jiaqing Li, Xiaoyan Ding, Yajing Zuo, Mei Wei, Shibo Tang*

* corresponding author

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with duration of 6 months and above.

METHODS: Ninteen cases(twenty eyes) with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy comfirmed by FFA ICGA and OCT examination were treated with PDT with half-dose verteporfin were enrolled. The size of PDT spot is guided by the high perfusion area in ICGA. Best-corrected visual acuity, central fovea retinal thickness and resolution of subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography, and choroidal perfusion decrease on indocyanine green angiography were assessed pre- and 1,3,6 months after PDT.

RESULTS: BCVA in 19 of 20 eyes were increased 2 lines and more. Choriocapillaris perfusion on post-PDT indocyanine green angiography was significantly decreased after treatment. central fovea retinal thickness and resolution of subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography in all 20 eyes. central fovea retinal thickness decreased to 168.37±25.35μm 1 month after PDT from 323.55±50.55μm pre-PDT. No recurrence or side effects were noted during 3-6 months follow up.

CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy with half-dose verteporfin appears to be an effective and safe treatment for patients with chronic chorioretinopathy. This is a prilimilary studies with small sample size. Large sample size, randomized and long-term study is needed to access the long-tern efficiciency of Half-fluence PDT.