Half-Dose Photodynamic Therapy versus High-Density Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Treatment in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (PLACE AND REPLACE)

Participants: ≥18yo with BCVA > 20/200 and foveal/extrafoveal SRF

• n=42

Intervention:

Patients from the PLACE trial without complete resolution of SRF received crossover treatment:

Group 1: half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy –> HSML
Group 2: high-density subthreshold micropulse laser (810nm) –> PDT

At 1-year from baseline (in PLACE), 78% of the PDT group and 67% of the HSML group had complete resolution of SRF.
The mean VA and QOL score did not change significantly in both groups.

Participants: 18 years or older with CSCR

• n=179

Intervention:

Group 1: half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy
Group 2: high-density subthreshold micropulse laser (810nm)

At 6-8 weeks, subretinal fluid had resolved in 51.2% of the PDT group and 13.8% of the HSML group. The PDT group also had significantly higher increase in BCVA and retinal sensitivity, although the vision-related quality of life was similar.
At 7-8 months, there was no subretinal fluid in 67.2% of the PDT group vs 28.8% of the HSML group.