Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy of the macula.
OBJECTIVE
Indications for photodynamic therapy (PDT) have increased from age-related macular degeneration with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), containing more than 50% of the classic component, to occult CNV, myopic CNV and CNV due to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. In the present study, the effect of PDT with verteporfin was examined in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) of the macula.


METHODS
PDT was performed in 9 eyes with PCV of the macula. Fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed before PDT and 3 months after PDT in all eyes. Optical coherence tomography was performed in 6 eyes.


RESULTS
After the initial PDT, visual acuity was stabilized or improved in 8 eyes (89%), polypoid elements were obliterated in 7 eyes (78%), and vascular nets were reduced in 8 eyes (89%). Of 6 eyes that received optical coherence tomography, pigment epithelium detachment was reduced or disappeared in all eyes except 1, which developed a disciform scar. An additional PDT was performed in 4 eyes to decrease vascular leakage. During the follow-up period of 3-18 months, no reactivation of PCV was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT offers an effective way of treating PCV of the macula, by obliterating polypoid elements of the PCV. However, long-term follow-up is needed.
Lee
Sung Chul
SC
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sunglee@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
Seong
Youl Seok
YS
Kim
Sung Soo
SS
Koh
Hyung Jun
HJ
Kwon
Oh Woong
OW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green