Krypton red laser photocoagulation in selected cases of central serous chorioretinopathy

Krypton red laser photocoagulation was carried out in 15 eyes with chronic, uncomplicated monocular central serous chorioretinopathy. All patients had vocations requiring excellent binocular vision, and could not work effectively with their current visual acuity. Krypton red was selected as the most suitable photocoagulative source, given the nature of the disease, the tissue-selectiveness of krypton red laser on the retinal pigment epithelium, and the relative inability of the macular luteal pigment and capillary beds of the inner retinal layers to absorb the red wavelength. Visual acuity improved in all 15 eyes, and to at least 20/30 (6/9) in 12 eyes (80%). The visible effects of krypton red laser photocoagulation on the retinal pigment epithelium were minimal and, although nine eyes had had focal leaks within 100 microns of the foveal avascular zone and 12 eyes had been photocoagulated within the maculopapillar bundle, no adverse clinical effects were observed. In carefully selected cases, then, krypton red laser photocoagulation appears to be suitable and safe for the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy in a tissue-specific manner.