Short-duration multiple-session subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (577 nm) for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: results at 3 years.

OBJECTIVES: To review the 3-year follow-up results of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (SMYL) delivered by a short-duration multiple-session method for treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

METHODS: A total of 27 eyes from 27 patients with chronic CSC available for 3 years of follow-up were enrolled in this retrospective and interventional study. Patients were treated with 577-nm SMYL photocoagulation at a 15% duty cycle over multiple sessions, with low power ranging from 200 to 400 mW that was increased in 100 mW increments according to resolution of subretinal fluid at monthly follow-up. Laser titration was not performed. A treatment duration of 20 ms rather than the conventional duration (100-300 ms) was applied over the area of retinal pigment epithelium leakage and all areas of serous retinal detachment, including the fovea.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 3.7 ± 0.8 years (range, 3-6 years). A total of 22 out of 27 eyes (81.5%) including six cases of recurrence during the follow-up period exhibited complete resolution of subretinal detachment at final follow-up, whereas only five eyes (15.5%) had either a partial or null response to SMYL treatment. The baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 0.26 ± 0.24 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which was improved to 0.08 ± 0.15 logMAR at 1-year (p = 0.005) and 3-year (p = 0.01) follow-up. The central macular thickness at baseline was 389.6 ± 103.4 μm, which was changed to 197.2 ± 40.0 μm (p < 0.001) at 1-year follow-up, 196.4 ± 40.2 μm (p < 0.001) at 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Short-duration multiple-session SMYL therapy may be effective for long-term treatment of chronic CSC.