Transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal leaks in central serous chorioretinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of subfoveal focal leaks in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: The patients presenting with long-standing CSC, but without the features of chronicity, were offered the options of TTT, photodynamic therapy (for subfoveal leaks), photocoagulation (for extrafoveal leaks), or observation. The patients who opted for TTT or observation were enrolled in this study. TTT was performed using a spot diameter of 0.5 mm for 1 min. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), status of macular detachment, and fluorescein angiographic status were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: This study included 39 patients (40 eyes) with CSC between 4 and 12 months, of whom 25 patients (25 eyes) opted for TTT for subfoveal leaks. Fourteen patients (15 eyes) were followed up without treatment. The groups were comparable in age, sex, and baseline BCVA. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Within 3 months, TTT resulted in the resolution of the serous detachment in 24 (96%) eyes with a single session; one eye required a repeat treatment. Eight control eyes demonstrated persisting CSC at the last follow-up. Visual acuity improved in 23 (92%) treated and five (33%) control eyes; the difference in outcome was statistically significant (P<0.001). One case developed choroidal neovascularization, which resolved with visual recovery to 20/20 after repeat-TTT. CONCLUSION: TTT resulted in the resolution of CSC with subfoveal angiographic leaks with significant improvement in visual outcome, in comparison to the natural history of persistent CSC.

Relation of optical coherence tomography and unusual angiographic leakage patterns in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the anatomic basis of atypical angiographic leaks in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT were performed in three eyes of three patients (two men, one woman) with CSC. The angiographic leaks were treated with transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in two patients with long-standing CSC. The investigations were repeated in the treated patients during follow-up visits. RESULTS: Clinically, all patients demonstrated typical CSC; the female patient had subretinal fibrin under the detachment. FA showed unusual leakage patterns and OCT revealed bridging tissue connecting the pigment epithelial detachment (PED) to the overlying detached retina in all patients. CSC resolved completely in the two patients who underwent TTT along with normalization of the OCT findings. In one patient re-evaluated before complete resolution of CSC, OCT showed a flattened PED with disappearance of the bridging tissue and persistent serous detachment. FA demonstrated conversion of the previously atypical leak into a classic 'smokestack' configuration. Over the next month, leakage resolved completely. CSC and the anatomical findings persisted in the untreated patient. CONCLUSION: OCT identified a potential anatomic basis for unusual angiographic leakage pattern in all three cases of CSC evaluated.