Sub-threshold 577-nm Yellow Laser treatment in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR): Bridging the Therapeutic Gap in Resource-Constrained Settings

Abstract

Purpose:  To assess the anatomical and functional outcomes of sub-threshold 577-nm yellow laser in patients with Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Study Design:  Interventional case series. Place and Duration of Study:  POB Eye Hospital, Karachifrom February 2025 to July 2025. Methods:  This study involved 35 patients with CSCR clinically diagnosed and confirmed on OCT. The patients were subjected to sub-threshold 577 nm yellow laser in neurosensory detachment areas. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after therapy. Acute (<3 months) and chronic (>3 months) CSCR were analyzed separately. Results:  A total of 35 participants were involved in the study, with amean age of 41.2 ± 6.5 years. There were 80% males. Twenty-three participants (65.7%) had acute CSCR, and 12 (34.3%) had chronic CSCR. The BCVA improved significantly from 0.30 (0.25-0.35) to 0.00 (0.00-0.08) logMAR (p < 0.001) at 6 months, and CMT reduced from 0.426 ± 87um to 0.259 ± 64 um at 6 months (p < 0.001). Acute cases had better anatomical recovery and reduced CMT than chronic cases, but there were no differences between visual gains in acute and chronic cases. No negative effects of lasers were found. Conclusion:  Sub-threshold 577-nm yellow laser therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of acute and chronic CSCR, as it leads to resolution of subretinal fluid and improvement in visual acuity.