High-dose antioxidants for central serous chorioretinopathy; The randomized placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy of high-dose antioxidants in the acute stage of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This was a randomized placebo-controlled study. The patients with acute CSC (onset within 6 weeks) were randomized to receive either high-dose antioxidant tablets (study group A) or placebo tablets (control group B) for 3 months or until the complete resolution of subretinal fluid. After 3 months, additional treatment with laser or photodynamic therapy (PDT) was considered if any fluorescein leakage persisted. The outcomes measured were the changes in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT), the number of patients with subretinal fluid at each follow-up time, the number of patients with fluorescein leakage at the end of the 3(rd) month and patients who received additional treatments. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 58 patients (88%) completed the follow-up criteria. The baseline demographic data were comparable in both groups. At the end of the 3(rd) month, the VA and CMT showed no statistical difference between the groups but the patients in group A has less fluorescein leakage and additional treatments than in group B (p = 0.027 and 0.03). CONCLUSION: The high-dose antioxidants for acute CSC did not show any benefits in VA and CMT. However, the drugs might decrease the chance for fluorescein leakage and additional treatments at the end of the 3(rd) month.