[Photodynamic therapy: extended indication].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) beyond the common indication.


METHODS
A group of 256 patients was treated with photodynamic therapy from January to December 2000. Ten of these patients had a predominantly classic CNV due to angioid streaks (5), parafoveal telangiectasia (2), or chorioretinitis (3). In two patients an idiopathic origin of the CNV was presumed. Another 21 patients showed a juxtafoveal classic membrane (12) or a recurrence after laser photocoagulation (9). Visual acuity was evaluated, also in correlation to age and CNV size. Continuous follow-up of CNV and leakage size was performed with fluorescein angiography.


RESULTS
Overall 85% of the patients showed visual stabilization or improvement during an average observation period of 10.5 months. A correlation was found between age and visual improvement favoring younger patients; however, no correlation was found between visual improvement and CNV size. CNV and leakage size decreased moderately over the 9-month follow-up from 1.81/3.45 mm(2) to 1.61/2.60 mm(2).


CONCLUSIONS
PDT shows efficacy for classic choroidal neovascularization beyond the common indication.
Müller-Velten
R
R
Universitätsaugenklinik Lübeck.
Michels
St
S
Schmidt-Erfurth
U
U
Laqua
H
H
D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin