Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal recurrences after laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis, Bülach, Switzerland) has been proposed for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia. We retrospectively evaluated the effects of verteporfin therapy of subfoveal recurrences of extrafoveal myopic CNV previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation.


METHODS
Twelve eyes, previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation for extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization, received photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal recurrence of choroidal new vessels. Thirteen eyes that did not receive photodynamic therapy served as control group. Vision and fluorescein angiography outcomes were analyzed on all study visits (every 3 months) through month 12. Visual acuity was measured in Snellen lines.


RESULTS
On average, at the month 12 examination the verteporfin-treated group had gained 2 lines and the untreated group had lost 1 line of vision. Eleven eyes of the verteporfin-treated group compared with nine eyes of the untreated group lost fewer than 3 lines of vision, including four eyes versus none improving at least 1 line of vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin might increase the chance of stabilizing or improving vision in patients with subfoveal recurrences of extrafoveal myopic CNV previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation. A prospective, randomized study on larger series of patients is mandatory.
Bandello
Francesco
F
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Viale Venezia, 410, 33100 , Udine, Italy. francesco.bandello@dsc.uniud.it.
Lanzetta
Paolo
P
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Viale Venezia, 410, 33100 , Udine, Italy.
Battaglia Parodi
Maurizio
M
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Roman-Pognuz
Derri
D
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Viale Venezia, 410, 33100 , Udine, Italy.
Saviano
Sandro
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Ravalico
Giuseppe
G
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin