Comparison of half-dose photodynamic therapy and 689 nm laser treatment in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To compare visual and anatomical outcomes between half-dose photodynamic therapy (hd-PDT) and 689 nm laser therapy (689-LT) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients with symptomatic chronic CSC were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either hd-PDT or 689-LT delivering 95 J/cm2 via an intensity application of 805 mW/cm2 over 118 s. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings were compared between the two treatment groups. Results: Mean CSC duration was 17.1 ± 6.66 weeks and 18.7 ± 7.46 weeks in the hd-PDT and 689-LT groups respectively. Both groups showed significant BCVA improvements, as well as reductions in central retinal and subfoveal choroidal thickness. Although hd-PDT led to a faster reduction in central retinal thickness, no significant differences were recorded between groups for any other measured parameter at any time point. Complete photoreceptor recovery was observed in eight and seven eyes in the hd-PDT and 689-LT groups respectively. Conclusions: Both hd-PDT and 689-LT were effective at treating chronic CSC. Further studies are warranted to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy.