title: Improvement in multifocal electroretinography after half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate retinal functional changes by multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) after photodynamic therapy with half-dose verteporfin in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy were randomly assigned to receive photodynamic therapy with half-dose verteporfin (n = 24) or placebo (n = 10). Multifocal electroretinography was performed at baseline and at 12 months, and serial changes in response amplitudes were expressed as amplitude ratios. The mfERG amplitude ratios, best-corrected visual acuity, and optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness were compared between the verteporfin and placebo groups. Correlation analysis between the mfERG response amplitude ratios and the best-corrected visual acuity changes and reduction in optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 months, the mean visual improvement was 1.8 line and 0.1 line for the verteporfin and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.003). Eyes in the verteporfin group had significantly lower central foveal thickness (P = 0.028) and higher P1 mfERG response ratios for Rings 1 and 2 at 12 months compared with the eyes in the placebo group (P = 0.030 and P = 0.018, respectively). Significant correlations between mfERG N1 and P1 amplitude ratios at the central rings were observed with both changes in best-corrected visual acuity and reductions in optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multifocal electroretinography demonstrated higher retinal function at the central macula objectively in central serous chorioretinopathy patients treated with half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness findings also correlated with mfERG responses of the central macula, confirming the usefulness of mfERG as an objective investigation to evaluate the functional changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Zenith H Y
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ricky Y K
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Yolanda W Y
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Wai Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Dennis S C
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Timothy Y Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D056833:Central Serous Chorioretinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin