Photodynamic treatment without verteporfin in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results of a newly proposed technique to treat chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSR) and to determine its efficacy in cCSR treatment. This technique is termed photostatic treatment (PST).

Study design: A prospective study which includes 44 eyes of 38 patients were treated with PST and followed up for at least 24 months.

Methods: PST was performed by administering light energy delivered to the area using a 689 nm diode laser. PST was performed using the conventional fluence rate (60 J/cm²) with a conventional irradiation time of 83 s. Each patient was treated with 3 consecutive laser applications. The primary outcome measures were complete resolution of subretinal fluid and improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results: The median central macular thickness (CMT) was significantly lower at the final visit after treatment than the initial presentation (median CMT 332,5µ versus 234µ, p < 0.001). Complete resolution of the fluid at the last visit could be achieved in 31 (70.4%) eyes with a significant improvement in median BCVA (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The application of laser treatment without a photosensitizing agent proved effective in controlling cCSR, and we propose the term 'photostatic treatment' for this new technique.