Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.
BACKGROUND
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is usually a benign disorder which resolves spontaneously, and requires no treatment. Nevertheless, in cases of chronic or recurrent detachment of the neurosensory retina a durable decrease of the visual acuity may be measured due to lesion of the photoreceptors. To avoid this evolution we performed a pilot study to assess the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with CSC without clinical normalization 6 months after the begin of the symptoms.


METHODS
We report on 14 eyes in 13 patients presenting a chronic CSC without leaking point accessible for focal laser photocoagulation. The diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescein angiography (FA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). PDT with verteporfin was performed according to the protocol used for treating choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.


RESULTS
One month after PDT, leakage on FA and detachment of the neurosensory retina on OCT had disappeared, and visual acuity had improved in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The mechanism of action of PDT in chronic CSC is still hypothetical. PDT should decrease the passage of fluid towards the retina by affecting the choroidal blood flow, and allow a better resorption of the subretinal fluid. PDT could be an alternative to treat patients with chronic CSC.
Valmaggia
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Klinik für Augenkrankheiten, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Schweiz. christophe.valmaggia@kssg.ch
Niederberger
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H
D000328:Adult; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*