Comparison of two protocols of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser treatment for non-resolving central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To study the effect of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser treatment on central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to compare two laser protocols. As per our knowledge, there are no studies comparing the two protocols of subthreshold laser. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with non-resolving CSC of at least three months duration were treated with subthreshold laser (577 nm). Ten patients were treated with 5% duty cycle (group A) and 13 patients with 10% duty cycle (group B). At one month, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal fluid (SRF), choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were evaluated. RESULTS: In group A, BCVA improved from 0.508 ± 504 to 0.174 ± 0.171 (P = 0.0058), CMT improved from 349.8 ± 168.9 micrometers (µm) to 183.3 ± 70.312 µm (P = 0.0093) and SRF reduced from 202.4 ± 158.024 to 43.8 ± 46.599 µm (P = 0.0069). In group B, BCVA improved from 0.437 ± 0.426 to 0.289 ± 0.470 (P = 0.0026), CMT improved from 280.846 ± 72.668 to 196.769 ± 72.62 µm (P = 0.0002) and SRF reduced from 110.385 ± 57.687 µm to 52.538 ± 52.111 µm (P = 0.0064). No significant difference was found in BCVA and CMT between the groups (P = 0.8716 and P = 0.8523, respectively). CSC completely resolved in 50% of cases in group A and in 69.2% of cases in group B. This difference was not statistically significant (0.423); however, the odds ratio of resolution was 2.25 times more with 10% duty cycle. No change was observed on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) following laser. CONCLUSION: Subthreshold micropulse laser can lead to resolution of SRF in 60.87% of cases (groups A and B combined). Ten per cent duty cycle had higher odds of resolution without causing any RPE damage.