Half-dose verteporfin combined with half-fluence photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of half-dose verteporfin combined with half-fluence photodynamic therapy (half-half photodynamic therapy (PDT) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: This was a retrospective case series. Fourteen eyes with chronic CSC receiving half-half PDT were included in group 1. Another 28 eyes receiving half-dose verteporfin combined with standard fluence PDT were included in group 2 as a control group. Main outcome measures were the success rates, major complications, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central subfield foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 6 months in both groups. Success of treatment was defined as complete resolution of subretinal fluid on OCT after treatment without recurrence. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in their age, gender, duration of symptoms, baseline BCVA, baseline CFT, PDT spot size, and follow-up duration. The success rate was 64% (9/14 eyes) in group 1 and 93% (26/28 eyes) in group 2 at 6 months (P=0.031). No major complications were found in either group. Mean CFT showed significant reduction at 6 months in both groups (-115μm and P<0.001 in group 1; -150μm and P<0.001 in group 2). The mean BCVA in group 2 improved significantly (P<0.001) at 6 months. The mean BCVA in group 1 showed a trend of improvement but was not statistically significant (P=0.25) at 6 months. Conclusions: Half-half PDT is a feasible treatment for chronic CSC. However, there was a lower success rate at 6 months compared with the control group.