AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy(PDT)with one third-dose verteporfin for treating acute central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC).

METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients diagnosed with acute CSC from May 2010 to May 2011 received single session of PDT with one third dose(2mg/m²)verteporfin. All eyes were imaged by optical coherence tomography(OCT)preoperative and 1 week, 2, 4 weeks and 3 months after PDT. The resolution of subretinal fluid(SRF)was observed. Fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)were applied preoperative and 4 weeks after PDT to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of PDT.

RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes presented serous neuroepitheial detachment in OCT image and showed fluorescence leakage or smokestack phenomenon in FFA, and revealed dilated and tortuous choroidal vessels with diffuse hyperpermeability in ICGA pictures. After one week, OCT showed that SRF was reduced in 7 eyes. The SRF was completely resolute in 11 eyes after 2 weeks. Four weeks after PDT, 22 eyes had complete resolution of SRF and disappear of fluorescein leakage in FFA. The dilated and tortuous choroidal vessels improved in 15 eyes and remained the same in 7 eyes by ICGA. The mean BCVA was 0.5 at baseline and 0.9 at 3 weeks. None of the patients developed any systemic adverse event associated with the operation in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: PDT with one third dose verteporfin is effective and safe in treating acute CSC.