Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Micropulse Photocoagulation Versus Half-dose Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate subthreshold diode-laser micropulse (SDM) versus half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (hd-PDT) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

62 eyes of 62 patients were prospectively followed for changes in fluorescein angiography (FA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and contrast visual acuity (CVA) after SDM (n=20) or hdPDT (n=24). CSC observation served as control group (n=18).

RESULTS

Both treatment groups (60% SDM vs. 66.7% hdPDT) showed significant improvement in reduction of leakage activity compared to the control group (37.5%) at 16 weeks. CMT decreased by 69.7 µm (SDM), 109.8 µm (hdPDT), and 89 µm (control). BCVA improved by +6.7 (SDM group), +8.5 (hdPDT), and +1.5 ETDRS letters (control). CVA was best improved in the hdPDT group. No secondary RPE alterations could be detected by FAF after any intervention.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to the control group, hdPDT and SDM resulted in reduced leakage activity in FA and enhanced photopic and scotopic visual acuity in patients with CSC.