Low-Fluence Photodynamic Therapy versus Subthreshold Micropulse Yellow Wavelength Laser in the Treatment of Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose. To compare the efficacy and safety of subthreshold micropulse yellow wavelength laser (SMYL) and low-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods. Thirty-three eyes of 30 patients with chronic CSC received either PDT (18 eyes) or SMYL (15 eyes) therapy. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid (SRF) height, and central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated at the baseline visit and one, three, six, nine, and 12 months after the therapy. Results. After 12 months, mean BCVA improved from 67.3 +/- 14.2 to 71.5 +/- 21.4 ETDRS letters in SMYL group and from 60.7 +/- 16.3 to 64.4 +/- 24.9 ETDRS letters in PDT group (p = 0.285 and p = 0.440, resp.). Mean CMT decreased from 242.8 +/- 80 mu m to 156.9 +/- 60 mu m in the PDT group and from 287.3 +/- 126 mu m to 138.0 +/- 40 mu m in the SMYL group (p = 0.098 and p = 0.003, resp.). SRF resolved completely in 72.2% and 80.0% of the eyes in the PDT and SMYL groups, respectively. Mean SRF height decreased from 117.2 +/- 58 mu m to 31.3 +/- 56 mu m in the PDT group and from 130.0 +/- 104 mu m to 12.5 +/- 21 mu m in the SMYL group (p = 0.031 and p = 0.014, resp.). Conclusions. Subthreshold micropulse yellow wavelength laser seems to be effective in the treatment of chronic CSC without any side effect and results in the resorption of SRF without causing visible retinal scarring.