Nonvisible subthreshold micropulse diode laser (810 nm) treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy. A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the efficacy of nonvisible micropulse diode laser irradiation in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with CSC for a total of 24 eyes with a disease duration longer than 3 months were included in a prospective study. Patients underwent Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity (VA) examination, dilated ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography before treatment and during follow- up. Treatment with a micropulse diode laser was given with a duty cycle of 15%. Multiple spots were placed over and adjacent to the area of retinal pigment epithelium leak or decompensation.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 14 months (range 3-36 months). Powers used ranged from 1 to 2 W (mean 1.35 W). Mean number of spots was 215 (range 90-400). Fourteen eyes were treated once, nine eyes received two to three treatments, and one eye had five treatments during a follow-up of 3 years. Subretinal fluid was resolved or improved in two third of cases 1 month after laser treatment, and in three-quarters at the end of follow-up. Mean retinal thickness was 328 microm, 197 microm, and 168 microm before, 1 month after irradiation, and at the end of follow-up, respectively. No evidence of RPE or retinal changes due to laser treatment were discernible in most of the eyes. Median VA was 20/32 (range 20/100-20/20) before treatment and 20/25 (range 20/200-20/20) at the end of the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonvisible micropulse diode laser may have efficacy in the treatment of CSC. A randomized study with larger series is needed.
Lanzetta
P
P
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Udine - Italy. paolo.lanzetta@uniud.it
Furlan
F
F
Morgante
L
L
Veritti
D
D
Bandello
F
F
D000328:Adult; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology