Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: Photodynamic therapy

PURPOSE: To demonstrate, using optical coherence and fluorescien angiography, the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: A retrospective study in a clinical practice setting of four patients (five eyes) with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. The patients were treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy and evaluated by optical coherence tomography and fluorescien angiography with average follow-ups of 10 months. RESULTS: Compared to pre-treatment optical coherence tomography, an acute reduction in subretinal fluid accumulation and serous detachment with stoppage of leakage was noted in the five eyes treated. Dramatic improvement in visual acuity was also noted, especially among patients with better vision initially. However, pigmentary changes persisted. CONCLUSION: Serial optical coherence tomography demonstrates that photodynamic therapy with verteporn appears to have a beneficial effect in treating patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy by reducing fluid leakage, subretinal fluid accumulation, and serous detachment with resultant improvement in vision. Better visual results might be expected if photodynamic therapy is applied earlier in the course of the disease. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.