Photodynamic Therapy with Chlorin e6 Derivative for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (Pilot Study)

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with chlorin e6 (Ce6) derivative in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: Participants in this interventional, single-center clinical pilot study included 39 patients (39 eyes) with chronic CSC. Primary objectives were to assess safety and change in decimal best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the 12-month follow-up. Secondary objectives were to evaluate change in central retinal thickness (CRT) in fovea area, maximal height of subretinal fluid (SRF), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and number of treatments. Results: There were no systemic adverse events and ocular side effects. Mean decimal BCVA showed a significant increase from 0.49 ± 0.25 to 0.63 ± 0.28 (P = 0.001), mean CRT and maximal height of SRF decreased significantly from 335 ± 95 to 219 ± 69 μm and from 149 ± 84 to 32 ± 86 μm respectively (P = 0.001), comparing baseline and month 12. There was no significant difference between mean SFCT before PDT and at month 12. During all follow-up periods mean number of PDT treatments was 1.3 ± 0.7. Complete SRF resolution was observed in 82% (32 eyes) during observation period. Conclusion: Results of this pilot study demonstrate that PDT with Ce6 derivative is a safe method to treat eyes with chronic CSC. PDT with Ce6 derivative is the treatment option for chronic CSC. Further randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and longer periods of follow-up are needed to assess the effectivity and safety of PDT with Ce6 derivative in chronic CSC.

Keywords: chlorin e6 derivative; chronic central serous chorioretinopathy; photodynamic therapy; retina.