Safety enhanced photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: one-year results of a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a safety enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocol with half-dose verteporfin for treating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).


METHODS
Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients with symptomatic chronic CSC underwent indocyanine green angiography guided PDT with half dose (3 mg/m) verteporfin. Outcome measures included logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness, and angiographic changes during the 12-month study period.


RESULTS
The mean CSC duration was 8.2 months (range, 3-40 months). At 12 months after PDT, the mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.31 to 0.15 (P < 0.001). The mean improvement was 1.6 lines and 45 (95.8%) eyes had stable or improved vision. Eyes without pigment epithelial detachment (PED) had significantly greater visual improvement compared with eyes with PED (P = 0.031). Patients with CSC of 6 months or less or younger than 45 years were more likely to gain vision by two or more lines after treatment (P = 0.007 and P = 0.018, respectively). Forty (83.3%) eyes had complete resolution of serous detachment at 3 months, with 43 (89.6%) eyes at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The safety enhanced PDT protocol appeared to be beneficial for patients with chronic CSC. Further controlled study is warranted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this treatment option.
Chan
Wai-Man
WM
From the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. cwm6373@netvigator.com
Lai
Timothy Y Y
TY
Lai
Ricky Y K
RY
Tang
Emily W H
EW
Liu
David T L
DT
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green