Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Photodynamic Therapy in Patients With Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed patients with chronic CSCR treated with verteporfin PDT in their hospital and followed up for 36 months or longer. RESULTS: Among 94 eyes, 76 eyes underwent half-fluence PDT (80.9%), 12 eyes (12.8%) underwent half-dose PDT, and six eyes (6.4%) underwent standard PDT. Mean follow-up duration was 58.1 months +/- 20.3 months. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved by 0.15 +/- 0.31 logMAR. Seventy-two eyes (77%) had resolution of subretinal fluid 1 month after treatment. Nine eyes (9.6%) showed nonresponse, and 23 (24.5%) showed recurrence. Older age (P = .009) and smaller macular thickness reduction post-PDT (P = .017) were associated with nonresponse. Male sex (P = .021), bilateral CSCR (P = .008), and smaller choroidal thickness reduction (P = .024) were associated with recurrence. Retreatment using PDT resulted in a 90% success rate. CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin PDT for chronic CSCR conferred good visual outcomes, as well as good safety results up to mean 5 years. Although the disease recurred in about one-fifth of the eyes, additional PDT conferred a good response rate.