Aims To compare clinical outcomes for patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) undergoing either focal laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods 26 eyes of 26 patients with symptomatic CSC underwent focal laser photocoagulation or half-dose PDT, as appropriate. Best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography were assessed prospectively prior to treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment.

Results 12 eyes in the focal laser group and 14 eyes in the PDT group were evaluated. One month after PDT, all eyes, except one, showed complete absorption of subretinal fluid, whereas five eyes in the focal laser group showed residual subretinal fluid (p=0.022). Visual acuity and parameters of multifocal electroretinography improved from baseline at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, without any significant differences between the two groups. However, compared with those in the PDT group at 1 month after treatment, P1 latencies in the first annuli of the focal laser group were delayed (40.1±5.5 ms and 34.9±2.5 ms, respectively; p=0.047).

Conclusions Compared with focal laser, half-dose PDT may facilitate earlier resolution of macular detachment and earlier recovery of central retinal function. However, at 3 months after treatment and thereafter, no difference in anatomical and functional recovery was noted between the two modalities of treatment.