Large-spot subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy for chronic serous macular detachment

PURPOSE: To report the effect of subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in treating serous detachment of the neurosensory retina secondary to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CCSC). METHODS: Seven eyes from five patients with CCSC, persistent serous detachment of the neurosensory retina and a clinical course of between 12 and 60 months were treated. All eyes received large-spot TTT guided by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Subthreshold TTT was performed using an 810 nm diode laser with a spot size of 3.0 mm (power was set at 350 mW). Treatment was applied for 60 seconds to the areas of choroidal hyperfluorescence on ICGA. RESULTS: The mean number of TTT sessions was 1.4 ± 0.5. All eyes were followed up for at least 6 months (mean 9.6 ± 3.2 standard deviation; range 6–12 months). The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity was significantly better compared with baseline. All TTT-treated eyes had stable or improved vision (P < 0.001). Mean optical coherence tomography (OCT) central foveal thickness was significantly lower in all patients (P < 0.001) compared with pretreatment OCT, with a reduction in subretinal fluid and resolution of serous detachment associated with anatomical fovea restoration. No patient had any treatment-related side effects. CONCLUSION: Modified subthreshold TTT appears to have a beneficial effect in treating patients with CCSC and persistent neurosensory detachment. The encouraging results and lack of visually significant complications suggest that further investigation is warranted.