Role of photodynamic therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with Verteporfin for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) involving the fovea in Indian eyes, through a retrospective interventional case series.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 9 patients (9 eyes) diagnosed to have PCV with foveal involvement between September 2001 and October 2002.


RESULTS
Nine eyes underwent PDT for PCV. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 16 months. Initial visual acuity (VA) ranged from 1/60 to 6/12 and final VA varied from 1/60 to 6/9 at the end of follow-up. VA improved in 4/9 eyes (44.4%) by one line and remained unchanged in 5/9 eyes (55.6%), hence it was considered stabilized in all eyes. No adverse effects or events were observed during or after treatment with verteporfin.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT may be beneficial for PCV with foveal involvement. Its long-term efficacy requires to be evaluated.
Kanuri Santhamma Retina Vitreous Centre, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, L. V. Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, India. nazimul@lvpei.org
Nazimul
N
Hussain
Anjli
A
Hussain
Sundaram
S
Natarajan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green