Photodynamic therapy for focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin as a treatment for patients with focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).


METHODS
Noncomparative, nonrandomized, retrospective interventional case series.


METHODS
Nine eyes of 9 symptomatic patients with acute focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to CSC, confirmed with fluorescein angiography, evaluated at 1 of 3 referral retina practices.


METHODS
Patients were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was recorded at presentation and follow-up visits.


METHODS
Resolution of neurosensory detachment, status of fluorescein leakage, and VA.


RESULTS
Neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage resolved in all patients within 1 month. Visual acuity improved from 1 to 6 lines in 7 eyes and remained unchanged in 2. At 6 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean VA (P = 0.012, Wilcoxon signed ranks test), and mean VA improved from 20/80 to 20/40. No patient lost vision or suffered any treatment-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of acute CSC with photodynamic therapy may result in prompt resolution of neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage, which can be associated with rapidly improved vision. Although this case series is limited in follow-up and number of patients, the encouraging results and lack of visually significant complications suggest that further investigation is warranted.
Ober
Michael D
MD
LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York, New York, USA. obermike@gmail.com
Yannuzzi
Lawrence A
LA
Do
Diana V
DV
Spaide
Richard F
RF
Bressler
Neil M
NM
Jampol
Lee M
LM
Angelilli
Allison
A
Eandi
Chiara M
CM
Lyon
Alice T
AT
D000328:Adult; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044967:Serum; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin