AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinophathy(CSC)in patients aged above 45 years old.

METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of 30 patients aged above 45 years old with central serous chorioretinophathy were included, and all the eyes received half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy(PDT). Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)and subretinal fluids absorption(SRF)were measured before and after treatment(1,3 and 6mo).

RESULTS: The rate of SRF absorbing completely was 44% at 1mo, 63% at 3mo and 75% at 6mo. The difference in cure rate of the three time points was statistically significant(χ²=6.621, P=0.037). All the patients were divided into two groups according to the duration, patients in Group A were treated less than 6mo, Group B were ≥6mo. The mean LogMAR BCVA in the two groups were respectively 0.6149±0.4117 and 0.8167±0.4370 before treatment and the mean CMT were 409.47±129.422μm and 395.82±153.756μm before treatment. The difference between the two groups in the LogMAR BCVA was not statistically significant(F=0.303, P=0.823), but the time difference within the subjects was statistically significant(F=32.837,P<0.001). In Group A, the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at pre-treatment,1mo and 3mo was all statistically significant(P<0.05), but the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at 3mo and 6mo was not statistically significant(t=2.024,P=0.063). In Group B, the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at any two time points were all statistically significant(P<0.05). The difference between the two groups in the CMT was not statistically significant(F=0.064,P=0.978), but the time difference within the subjects was statistically significant(F=26.447,P<0.001). In Group A,the differences of the CMT at any two time points were all statistically significant(P<0.05). So were in Group B(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Half-dose verteporfin PDT was effective in treating CSC aged above 45 years old, it still could improve BCVA and subretinal fluids absorption.