title: Clinical efficacy of anti-VEGF medications for central serous chorioretinopathy: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Background Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a widespread retinal disorder, and 30-50% of patients eventually result in retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and irreversible vision loss. Aim of the review To evaluate the effectiveness of medications based on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) on central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Method A systematic search on anti-VEGF medication treatments for CSC was performed in Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library prior to May 2016. The main outcome variables were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT). All effects were analyzed via Review Manager 5.3. Results Fourteen studies were incorporated with a total of 266 eyes, divided into a comparative group and a non-comparative group. The comparative group included acute and chronic CSC studies, while the non-comparative group included chronic CSC only. Meta-analysis revealed that for acute CSC, anti-VEGF treatment was not superior to observation at a 6-month follow-up in BCVA and CMT. For chronic CSC in the comparative group, no significant difference was observed between anti-VEGF treatment and observation in BCVA; however, the observed difference in CMT (WMD = -67.78, 95% CI 20.17-115.38) was statistically significant. In the non-comparative group, significant differences were observed after anti-VEGF treatment in BCVA and CMT at 1, 6, and 12 months follow-ups. Conclusion Our meta-analysis partially indicated that anti-VEGF medications might be a viable choice for the treatment of chronic CSC; however, due to the self-limiting nature of CSC, care should be applied in the clinical application of anti-VEGF medications.
authors.affiliation: Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Shangli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yemei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Jiansu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China. tangshibo@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Shibo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056833:Central Serous Chorioretinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Anti-VEGF; Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor; Central serous; Chorioretinopathy; Meta-analysis