Choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia: three-year results after photodynamic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the encouraging functional results one year after photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be maintained up to three years.


METHODS
Prospective interventional case series.


METHODS
Highly myopic eyes that had been treated with PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization and had been observed at least 36 months were included. Distance acuity (Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy charts), reading acuity (Jaeger charts), 10-degree static threshold perimetry, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were performed. The main outcome measures were the differences of the values among the baseline and the month 12 and the month 36 examinations.


RESULTS
Twenty eyes of 18 patients were included: 15 patients were female, and 3 patients were male. The average age was 64 years (range, 36 to 85 years). The mean distance acuity was 43 letters at baseline and 53 letters after 12 months and after 36 months. The mean reading acuity changed from mean J10.8 to mean J8.1 after 12 months and to mean J9.85 after 3 years. The mean defect decreased from mean 13.5 dB at baseline to mean 12.5 dB after 12 months and mean 11.2 dB after 36 months. The maximum retinal thickness decreased from mean 360 mum at baseline to mean 259 mum after one year and mean 238 mum after 36 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Distance acuity and central visual field showed stabilization after the month 12 examination up to the month 36 examination. The reading acuity decreased between the month 12 and the month 36 examinations, which might be related to an increase of retinal atrophy.
Krebs
Ilse
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Rudolf Foundation Clinic, Juchgasse 25, 1030 Vienna, Austria. Ilse.Krebs@wienkav.at
Binder
Susanne
S
Stolba
Ulrike
U
Glittenberg
Carl
C
Brannath
Werner
W
Goll
Alexandra
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047728:Myopia, Degenerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin