Comparison of Focal and Conventional Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of focal verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This study enrolled 52 eyes of 52 patients with chronic CSC who had received verteporfin PDT. The laser spot size of 26 eyes covering only the localized hyperfluorescent area in indocyanine green angiography was classified as focal PDT. The PDT spot size of the other 26 eyes covered the total area of retinal pigment epithelial detachment including the leaking point and was defined as conventional PDT. The central subfield thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured using Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography before PDT and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after PDT. RESULTS: The mean spot size of the PDT was 1,995 µm in the focal group and 2,995 µm in the conventional group. Central subfield thickness steadily decreased in both groups. The mean baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness for the two groups was 334.95 and 348.35 µm, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.602). Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 304.20 µm at 1 month, 284.85 µm at 3 months, 271.60 µm at 6 months, and 265.95 µm at 12 months in the focal group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively, compared with baseline). In the conventional group, subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 318.75, 300, 284, and 272 µm at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 compared with baseline). There were no significant differences between the two groups in subfoveal choroidal thickness based on PDT spot size at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.633, p = 0.625, p = 0.676, and p =0.755, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Focal verteporfin PDT for CSC significantly decreased the subretinal fluid and sufoveal choroidal thickness to the same extent as conventional PDT.