Half-dose photodynamic therapy clinically useful therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, suggests study

Chronic CSCR is a condition characterized by the accumulation of SRF under the retina, leading to vision impairment. Current treatments include PDT and SMLT, but their comparative efficacy has not been conclusively determined. This study, conducted between April 2017 and October 2020, sought to fill this knowledge gap by evaluating the effectiveness of half-dose PDT versus SMLT.

Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either half-dose PDT or SMLT. The treatments were repeated if persistent SRF was observed. Evaluations were conducted one month after treatment and every three months thereafter until the 12-month endpoint. The primary outcome measure was the complete resolution of SRF on OCT scan at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), retinal sensitivity, and vision-related quality of life.

• A total of 68 patients were enrolled in the study. At the 1-month mark, SRF resolved in 24.2% of patients receiving SMLT and 58.8% of patients receiving half-dose PDT

• By 12 months, SRF resolution was observed in 82.1% of the SMLT group and 90.9% of the half-dose PDT group.

• Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated significantly faster SRF resolution in the half-dose PDT group compared to the SMLT group (P = 0.016).

• Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in BCVA, CMT, and retinal sensitivity at 12 months.

• Specifically, BCVA improved by −0.12 ± 0.21 in the SMLT group and −0.13 ± 0.12 in the half-dose PDT group.

• CMT decreased by −154.2 ± 105.6 in the SMLT group and −140.8 ± 94.0 in the half-dose PDT group.

• Retinal sensitivity increased by 5.70 ± 5.02 in the SMLT group and 6.05 ± 3.83 in the half-dose PDT group.

• There were no significant differences between the two groups at each time point in terms of BCVA, CMT, and retinal sensitivity, except for BCVA at 3 months (P = 0.03).

The findings indicate that both half-dose PDT and SMLT are viable treatment options for chronic CSCR. However, half-dose PDT provides faster anatomic success and functional improvement, making it a potentially more effective treatment option for this condition. The study highlights the importance of personalized treatment plans for patients with chronic CSCR, taking into consideration the speed of recovery and overall efficacy of the therapy.

This study demonstrates that half-dose PDT achieves faster resolution of SRF and functional improvement in chronic CSCR patients compared to SMLT. Both treatments are effective, but half-dose PDT offers a quicker pathway to anatomic success, suggesting it may be the preferred option in managing chronic CSCR.

Reference:

Brelen, M. E., Ho, M., Li, S., Ng, D. S. C., Yip, Y. W. Y., Lee, W. S., Chen, L. J., Young, A. L., Tham, C. C., & Pang, C. P. (2024). Comparing half-dose photodynamic therapy with subthreshold micropulse laser for the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy. Ophthalmology Retina, 8(5), 490–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oret.2023.10.024