Photodynamic therapy for focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To report the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin as a treatment for patients with focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Design: Noncomparative, nonrandomized, retrospective interventional case series.

Participants: Nine eyes of 9 symptomatic patients with acute focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to CSC, confirmed with fluorescein angiography, evaluated at 1 of 3 referral retina practices.

Methods: Patients were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was recorded at presentation and follow-up visits.

Main outcome measures: Resolution of neurosensory detachment, status of fluorescein leakage, and VA.

Results: Neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage resolved in all patients within 1 month. Visual acuity improved from 1 to 6 lines in 7 eyes and remained unchanged in 2. At 6 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean VA (P = 0.012, Wilcoxon signed ranks test), and mean VA improved from 20/80 to 20/40. No patient lost vision or suffered any treatment-related complications.

Conclusion: The treatment of acute CSC with photodynamic therapy may result in prompt resolution of neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage, which can be associated with rapidly improved vision. Although this case series is limited in follow-up and number of patients, the encouraging results and lack of visually significant complications suggest that further investigation is warranted.