Visual Functions after Laser Photocoagulation in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Abstract

Summary:The authors evalute the visual functions of patients with unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and compare them with their non-affected eye and with a control group. Fourteen patients with CSC treated with direct laserphotocoagulation were examined preoperatively and followed-up, up to 2 years postoperatively. Baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) of both eyes of patients was significantly lower in comparison with the controls. BCVA and CS in affected eyes were significantly lower compared to the fellow eye of patients. The final BCVA and CS of patients did not differ significantly from the controls, except CS of affected eyes in the spatial frequency of 3.69 c/deg. Two years after laser treatment, there were only nonsignificant differences of both photopic full-field electroretinography (phERG) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) responses between the treated, the nonaffected eye of the patients and the control group with exception of a significantly longer P1 implicit time in the parafoveolar region in affected eyes. Colour discrimination was normal in 85.8% of affected eyes of the patients. Despite a significant improvement of macular function in CSC eyes, functional examination methods do not prove complete resolution of function 2 years after laser-treatment.

Pattern of Contrast Sensitivity Changes in Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

“…The exclusion criteria were recurrent acute CSC with poor VA, previous acute CSC in the fellow eye with subnormal visual outcome, history of other retinal disease, significant ocular media opacity with possible progression within 6 months, previous ocular surgery within 6 months, previous macular laser treatment, steroid use, pregnancy, and allergy to fluorescein dye. The sample size of this study was based on previous prospective studies of CSC [ 6 , 9 , 13 ]. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University.…”

“…After fluid resolution in the acute stage, some patients still complain of mild residual visual disturbances. Diminished CS is a common sequela of CSC which affects a patient's daily tasks such as reading [ 6 – 9 ].…”