Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Micropulse Photocoagulation Versus Half-dose Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate subthreshold diode-laser micropulse (SDM) versus half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (hd-PDT) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 62 eyes of 62 patients were prospectively followed for changes in fluorescein angiography (FA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and contrast visual acuity (CVA) after SDM (n=20) or hdPDT (n=24). CSC observation served as control group (n=18).

RESULTS: Both treatment groups (60% SDM vs. 66.7% hdPDT) showed significant improvement in reduction of leakage activity compared to the control group (37.5%) at 16 weeks. CMT decreased by 69.7 µm (SDM), 109.8 µm (hdPDT), and 89 µm (control). BCVA improved by +6.7 (SDM group), +8.5 (hdPDT), and +1.5 ETDRS letters (control). CVA was best improved in the hdPDT group. No secondary RPE alterations could be detected by FAF after any intervention.

CONCLUSION: In comparison to the control group, hdPDT and SDM resulted in reduced leakage activity in FA and enhanced photopic and scotopic visual acuity in patients with CSC.