Photodynamic therapy for corneal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
Photodynamic therapy with tin ethyl etiopurpurin (SnET2) was evaluated as a treatment modality for rat corneal neovascularization.


METHODS
Escalating light doses at 664 nm were applied focally to corneal neovascularization in rats 10 minutes following an intravenous injection of SnET2 using a low-power diode laser. Controls consisted of light-only and drug-only treatments. Clinical, angiographic, and histopathologic evaluations were performed on the animals up to 28 days after drug and/or light treatment.


RESULTS
A drug and light dose-response was seen in producing neovessel closure. In animals treated with SnET2 and the highest light dose (25 J/cm2), all eyes showed occlusion at every follow-up evaluation up to 28 days. Control eyes demonstrated progressive disease at all time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy appears to be safe and effective for eliciting prolonged (> 28 days) occlusion of corneal neovascularization in the rat model with minimal side effects and good clinical outcomes.
Primbs
G B
GB
Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, USA.
Casey
R
R
Wamser
K
K
Snyder
W J
WJ
Crean
D H
DH
D000818:Animals; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D011166:Porphyrins; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; C063166:tin etiopurpurin