Changes in macular sensitivity after half-dose photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

To evaluate the macular sensitivity changes after half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Eighteen patients (26 eyes) with chronic CSCR were recruited in the same hospital between April 2011 and December 2012. All patients were treated with one session of half-dose PDT after complete ophthalmic examination. Macular sensitivity examination was performed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Mean sensitivity (MS) of the central 10 degrees (10°) and 4 degrees (4°), mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) on automated static perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyzer II-750) were used for analysis.

There was significant improvement of the 10°MS from baseline (29.76 ± 1.51 dB) to 1 month (31.74 ± 1.56 dB), 3 months (31.51 ± 1.38 dB) and 6 months (31.19 ± 1.61 dB) after treatment (P < 0.001). The 4°MS was also significantly improved with half-dose PDT from baseline (28.96 ± 1.78 dB) to 1 month (32.41 ± 1.66 dB), 3 months (32.46 ± 1.50 dB) and 6 months (31.90 ± 1.84 dB) post-treatment (P < 0.001). MD was improved from baseline (-3.39 ± 0.89 dB) to 1 month (-1.96 ± 0.29 dB), 3 months (-1.94 ± 0.29 dB) and 6 months (-2.45 ± 0.13) post-treatment (P = 0.004). PSD also improved from 1.97 ± 0.24 dB at baseline to 1.47 ± 0.27 dB, 1.34 ± 0.24 dB, and 1.53 ± 0.24 dB (P = 0.001) at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively.

Macular sensitivity in CSCR can be improved by half-dose PDT, along with improvement of visual acuity and retinal thickness. The treatment outcome at 1 month may be a predictor of the final treatment response.