The aim of this study was to compare the treatment efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and focal laser photocoagulation in chronic central serous chorio retinopathy (CSC).

A retrospective study in a clinical practice setting including 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic CSC which were treated with PDT or focal laser photocoagulation were recruited in this study from March 2011 to December 2013. Mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presence or absence of resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED), recurrence rate, and complications were analyzed.

PDT was performed in 23 eyes of 23 patients and focal laser photocoagulation was performed in 17 eyes of 17 patients, and all patients were followed up for more than six months. Location of leakage point and appearance of leakage showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA at one month and six months after the treatment; however, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement between the two groups. In both groups, SRF and PED were partially or completely resolved. Resolution of SRF was better in the PDT group at one month after the treatment; however, no statistically significant difference in the resolution period was observed between the two groups. None of the patients experienced adverse events in the PDT group, but one patient developed choroidal neovascularization after treatment in the focal laser photocoagulation group. Two patients showed recurrence in the PDT group and needed retreatment.

Both treatments are beneficial in patients with chronic CSC. Focal laser photocoagulation can be a good treatment option in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.