One-year choroidal thickness results after photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy

To retrospectively evaluate choroidal thickness 1 year after photodynamic therapy in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy using optical coherence tomography.

Central serous chorioretinopathy was diagnosed using fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography was used to evaluate choroidal vascular hyperpermeability. We measured the subfoveal choroidal thickness using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Thirteen eyes (13 patients; average age, 56.8 years) with central serous chorioretinopathy were observed 1 year after half-dose photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly from 397 ± 108 μm at baseline to 323 ± 120 μm at 1 month, 312 ± 117 μm at 3 months, 317 ± 117 μm at 6 months, and 321 ± 122 μm at 1 year (P < 0.01, for each comparison with baseline). However, the subfoveal choroid thickness significantly increased 2 days after photodynamic therapy to 441 ± 120 (P < 0.01) compared with baseline. Central serous chorioretinopathy did not recur in any patient. Indocyanine green angiography images at 3 months showed less choroidal vascular hyperpermeability compared with baseline.

Half-dose photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy resulted in thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness 1 month after treatment, decreased the choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, and maintained the remission for 1 year. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography was helpful for monitoring the pathophysiologic choroidal changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.