Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization associated with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) for young adults and children with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.


METHODS
Patients with subfoveal CNV associated with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis were treated with V-PDT and prospectively followed up. Before V-PDT and during follow-up, patients underwent visual acuity testing, complete ophthalmic examination including color photography, angiography with fluorescein and/or indocyanine green, and optical coherence tomography. The decision to retreat CNV was based on the criteria used in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy investigation.


RESULTS
Eight patients (5 males and 3 females) were treated at a mean age of 15.3 years (range, 5-31 years). CNV was 100% classic or predominantly classic in all study patients. Mean visual acuity increased from 20/225 (range, 20/400 to 20/50) to 20/123 (range, 20/200 to 20/25) during a mean follow-up period of 25 months (range, 5-49 months). Persistent closure of CNV was achieved in all eight patients (mean number of treatments, 1.75). Vascular anastomosis developed in the treated area in two patients, but there was no additional visual loss. No significant adverse effects of V-PDT were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
V-PDT for subfoveal CNV associated with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis appears to be effective and safe even in young adults and children. However, a longer follow-up is recommended to confirm our observations.
Mauget-Faÿsse
Martine
M
Centre Ophtalmologique Rabelais, 12-14 Rue Rabelais, 69003 Lyon, France.
Mimoun
Gérard
G
Ruiz-Moreno
José M
JM
Quaranta-El Maftouhi
Maddalena
M
De Laey
Jean J
JJ
Postelmans
Laurence
L
Soubrane
Gisèle
G
Defauchy
Michel
M
Leys
Anita
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green