Micropulse Diode Laser Treatment for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Randomized Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 810-nm subthreshold diode micropulse (SDM) laser in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham- controlled pilot trial. Patients were randomized to SDM laser treatment (group 1) or sham procedure (group 2). Primary outcome measure was change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA); secondary outcome was central macular thickness after 3 months. Laser treatment was performed along the detached area. At the 3-month visit, all patients were evaluated for re-treatment if they met re-treatment criteria. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included in this study: five patients in the sham group and 10 in the treatment group. At 3 months, BCVA was significantly enhanced in the treatment group (P = .006) compared with the sham group (P = .498). All patients from the sham group needed treatment after 3 months. An improvement in central macular thickness and leakage on fluorescein angiography was noted in all treated patients (in both groups). CONCLUSION: In this limited-size, short-term exploratory study, SDM laser was effective in treating chronic CSC. There was no evidence of retinal damage induced by treatment.