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Subthreshold laser treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy reduces retinal pigment epithelium damage compared to conventional laserSubthreshold Laser Treatment Shows Promise for Central Serous Choroidopathy

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Key Takeaway
Consider subthreshold laser for its reduced retinal pigment epithelium damage and similar visual outcomes to conventional laser.

This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of subthreshold laser treatment for patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy. The analysis included a total of 401 patients to compare subthreshold laser against conventional laser, observation, and half-dose photodynamic therapy.

Key findings indicate that subthreshold laser probably reduces retinal pigment epithelium damage compared with conventional laser. Regarding visual acuity, subthreshold laser probably yields similar improvements compared with conventional laser and may result in similar outcomes compared with observation or half-dose photodynamic therapy. Regarding other outcomes, subthreshold laser may reduce metamorphopsia compared with observation, but may lead to a lower rate of subretinal fluid resolution compared with conventional laser. Anatomical improvement may be lower compared with half-dose photodynamic therapy.

The authors note very low certainty of evidence for comparisons with observation and half-dose photodynamic therapy. Clinical application is limited by these uncertainties. While subthreshold laser appears safer than conventional laser and produces similar visual outcomes, its anatomical efficacy is limited compared to certain alternatives.

Researchers analyzed data from 401 patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy to compare subthreshold laser treatment against other methods. This condition involves fluid buildup under the retina. The study looked at how well the subthreshold laser worked compared to conventional laser, observation, and half-dose photodynamic therapy.

The results suggest that subthreshold laser treatment may be safer than conventional laser because it likely reduces damage to the retinal pigment epithelium. In terms of vision, the subthreshold laser appeared to provide similar improvements in visual acuity compared to both conventional laser and observation. However, the results for resolving subretinal fluid were mixed, and anatomical improvements may be lower than those seen with half-dose photodynamic therapy.

It is important to note that the evidence for comparing subthreshold laser to observation or half-dose photodynamic therapy is of very low certainty. Because the data is limited, these findings should be viewed as a starting point for clinical discussions. Patients should talk to their eye specialists to determine the best treatment plan based on their specific needs.

What this means for you:
Subthreshold laser may be safer than conventional laser for certain eye conditions while providing similar vision results.

Common questions

Is subthreshold laser safer than conventional laser?

The study suggests that subthreshold laser treatment probably reduces retinal pigment epithelium damage compared with conventional laser. This makes it appear to be a safer option for patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy, even though its anatomical efficacy may be limited compared to some other treatments.

Does subthreshold laser improve vision?

The results indicate that subthreshold laser treatment probably yields similar improvements in visual acuity when compared with conventional laser. It may also result in similar outcomes compared with observation or half-dose photodynamic therapy. You should discuss these specific vision outcomes with your doctor.

How does it compare to other treatments?

While subthreshold laser may provide similar vision results to conventional laser, it may provide lower anatomical improvement compared with half-dose photodynamic therapy. There is also very low certainty of evidence when comparing subthreshold laser to observation or half-dose photodynamic therapy.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
Sample sizen = 401
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedNov 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
PURPOSE: Subthreshold laser has been proposed as a potentially safer and more effective alternative for patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Hence, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of subthreshold laser treatment for acute CSC. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from their inception up to March 24, 2026. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy and/or safety of subthreshold laser against any comparator. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, and the certainty of evidence was rated using the minimally contextualized GRADE approach. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials (401 participants) in patients with acute CSC were included. Compared with conventional laser, subthreshold laser probably yields similar improvements in visual acuity and reduces retinal pigment epithelium damage but probably leads to a lower rate of subretinal fluid resolution. When compared with observation, subthreshold laser may result in similar visual acuity outcomes but may reduce persistent metamorphopsia and increase subretinal fluid resolution, although the certainty of evidence is very low. Compared with half-dose photodynamic therapy, subthreshold laser may provide comparable visual outcomes but lower anatomical improvement, with very low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSION: In acute CSC, subthreshold laser appears safer than conventional laser and produces similar visual outcomes, although its anatomical efficacy is limited. Its potential advantages over observation or photodynamic therapy remain uncertain because of low-certainty evidence.
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