Comprehensive evaluation of intravitreal conbercept versus half-dose photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of conbercept intravitreal injection and half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This study was retrospective. Thirty-seven patients (37 eyes) with chronic CSC received conbercept injections while 57 patients (57 eyes) were treated with half-dose PDT. All subjects were followed in 6mo. Outcome measures included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF). RESULTS: There was no adverse event observed in either treatment group. At the 6-month follow-up, 26 eyes (70.3%) in the conbercept group and 54 eyes (94.7%) in the half-dose PDT group (P<0.05) reached full resolution of SRF. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA significantly improved (P<0.001) in both treatment groups with better outcome at early phase in the half-dose PDT group (2wk, 1, and 2mo, P<0.05). All subjects experienced significant CMT improvement (P<0.001) with no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The SFCT also improved in all subjects (P<0.001) with better outcome in the half-dose PDT group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both intravitreal conbercept and half-dose PDT are safe to use in treating chronic CSC. By 6mo, both treatment groups are efficacious in improving BCVA, reducing CMT and SFCT, and resolving SRF in eyes with chronic CSC. Half-dose PDT may show better outcome at initial phase of treatment in chronic CSC. Longer follow-up period is necessary to study for long-term effect and safety.