Choroidal ischemia after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
To report delay in choroidal perfusion suggestive of ischemia after photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization (CNV).


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
Retrospective review of all patients who developed choroidal ischemia after PDT.


RESULTS
This vascular change was found in eight (2.1%) of 373 eyes of patients treated for CNV as a result of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and in one (0.9%) of 114 eyes treated for pathologic myopia. A decrease of 3 lines of vision was reported to occur one week after treatment in patients with AMD. At the 12-month examination, patients did not exhibit any marked changes in visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Choroidal ischemia was an uncommon manifestation owing to the selectivity of verteporfin therapy and the existence of abundant anastomotic vascular connections in the choroid. The low incidence of this vascular event should not preclude counseling PDT in eyes that could benefit greatly from this therapy.
Isola
Vincenzo
V
Retina and Angiography Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Melegnano Hospital, Milan, Italy. isolavincenzo@aliceposta.it
Pece
Alfredo
A
Parodi
Maurizio Battaglia
MB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; 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; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin