Evaluation of the effects of photodynamic therapy on chronic central serous chorioretinopathy based on the mean choroidal thickness and the lumen area of abnormal choroidal vessels

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CCSC) by measuring the mean choroidal thickness (MCT) and the lumen area of abnormal choroidal vessels (LAACV). Methods: A total of 36 eyes of 18 patients with monocular CCSC were included in this study. The CCSC eyes received PDT with a half dose (3 mg/m(2)) of verteporfin and follow-up examinations were carried out for 3 months after PDT. The boundary of choroids and abnormal choroidal vessels (round or ovoid dark regions) were characterized using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. The MCT and LAACV were analyzed by two investigators masked to the diagnosis and the treatment of CCSC using the Image Pro Plus 6.0 software. Results: The MCT of CCSC eyes was significantly greater than that of normal eyes at baseline (P < 0.0001), but it significantly decreased at the last follow-up examination after PDT (P < 0.0001). The LAACV of the last follow-up examination was significantly smaller than that of the first follow-up examination (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the LAACV showed a significant correlation with the MCT in CCSC eyes. Conclusions: The MCT and LAACV are useful for quantitative evaluation of the effects of PDT on CCSC. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.