title: Laser targeted photo-occlusion of rat choroidal neovascularization without collateral damage.
abstract: Laser targeted photo-occlusion (LTO) is a novel method being developed to treat choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) in age-related and other macular degenerations. A photosensitive agent, encapsulated in heat-sensitive liposomes, is administered intravenously. A low power laser warms the targeted tissue and releases a bolus of photosensitizer. The photosensitizer is activated after it clears from the normal choriocapillaris but not from the CNV. Forty-five experimental CNV were induced in seven rats. Five weeks after LTO, complete occlusion was observed by laser targeted angiography (LTA) in 76% of treated CNV, and partial occlusion was found in the remaining 24%. The tissues outside the CNV but within the area treated by LTO showed no flow alteration and no dye leakage. All untreated CNV were patent on LTA at 5 weeks. Light microscopy and electron microscopy confirmed the results in treated and control lesions. Moreover, treated areas next to lesions showed normal photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane and choriocapillaris. These results indicate that LTO may improve current photodynamic therapy by alleviating the need for repeated treatments and by avoiding the long-term risks associated with damage to the RPE and occlusion of normal choriocapillaries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishiwaki
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeimer
authors.forename: Morton F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Salvatore A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: D'Anna
authors.forename: Stanley A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vinores
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grebe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000592:standards; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents