Photodynamic therapy for vasoproliferative retinal tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for patients with vasoproliferative retinal tumors (VPRTs).


METHODS
Three patients with VPRTs who presented with macular exudative changes were treated with one session of PDT with 6 mg/m body surface area of verteporfin and a light dose of 100 J/cm at 689 nm delivered in 166 seconds. Biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasonography were performed before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment; visual acuity was measured using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria.


RESULTS
At the 1-year follow-up, all tumors responded with a reduction in size (mean height: pretreatment, 2.96 mm; posttreatment, 1.32 mm), and optical coherence tomography showed complete resolution of macular exudates. For all patients, fluorescein angiography evidenced reduction of leakage from the lesion, and indocyanine green angiography verified nonperfusion of the vascular channels. An improvement in visual acuity (average, 4.7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters) was observed. No retreatment was needed.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT may represent an effective and safe modality of treatment for VPRTs because of its selectivity. Our study supports the application of a light dose of 100 J/cm, although further studies with larger numbers of cases and longer follow-ups are required.
Blasi
Maria A
MA
Department of Ophthalmology, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital, Via Vetoio, 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy. ma.blasi@flashnet.it
Scupola
Andrea
A
Tiberti
Alessandra C
AC
Sasso
Paola
P
Balestrazzi
Emilio
E
D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green