Half-dose verteporfin combined with half-fluence photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of half-dose verteporfin combined with half-fluence photodynamic therapy (half-half photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

This was a retrospective case series. Fourteen eyes with chronic CSC receiving half-half PDT were included in group 1. Another 28 eyes receiving half-dose verteporfin combined with standard fluence PDT were included in group 2 as a control group. Main outcome measures were the success rates, major complications, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central subfield foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 6 months in both groups. Success of treatment was defined as complete resolution of subretinal fluid on OCT after treatment without recurrence.

There was no significant difference between groups in their age, gender, duration of symptoms, baseline BCVA, baseline CFT, PDT spot size, and follow-up duration. The success rate was 64% (9/14 eyes) in group 1 and 93% (26/28 eyes) in group 2 at 6 months (P=0.031). No major complications were found in either group. Mean CFT showed significant reduction at 6 months in both groups (-115 μm and P<0.001 in group 1; -150 μm and P<0.001 in group 2). The mean BCVA in group 2 improved significantly (P<0.001) at 6 months. The mean BCVA in group 1 showed a trend of improvement but was not statistically significant (P=0.25) at 6 months.

Half-half PDT is a feasible treatment for chronic CSC. However, there was a lower success rate at 6 months compared with the control group.