Changes in macular sensitivity after half-dose photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Background: To evaluate the macular sensitivity changes after half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: Eighteen patients (26 eyes) with chronic CSCR were recruited in the same hospital between April 2011 and December 2012. All patients were treated with one session of half-dose PDT after complete ophthalmic examination. Macular sensitivity examination was performed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Mean sensitivity (MS) of the central 10 degrees (10 degrees) and 4 degrees (4 degrees), mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) on automated static perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyzer II-750) were used for analysis. Results: There was significant improvement of the 10 degrees MS from baseline (29.76 +/- 1.51 dB) to 1 month (31.74 +/- 1.56 dB), 3 months (31.51 +/- 1.38 dB) and 6 months (31.19 +/- 1.61 dB) after treatment (P < 0.001). The 4 degrees MS was also significantly improved with half-dose PDT from baseline (28.96 +/- 1.78 dB) to 1 month (32.41 +/- 1.66 dB), 3 months (32.46 +/- 1.50 dB) and 6 months (31.90 +/- 1.84 dB) post-treatment (P < 0.001). MD was improved from baseline (-3.39 +/- 0.89 dB) to 1 month (-1.96 +/- 0.29 dB), 3 months (-1.94 +/- 0.29 dB) and 6 months (-2.45 +/- 0.13) post-treatment (P = 0.004). PSD also improved from 1.97 +/- 0.24 dB at baseline to 1.47 +/- 0.27 dB, 1.34 +/- 0.24 dB, and 1.53 +/- 0.24 dB (P = 0.001) at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Macular sensitivity in CSCR can be improved by half-dose PDT, along with improvement of visual acuity and retinal thickness. The treatment outcome at 1 month may be a predictor of the final treatment response.