Pegaptanib for myopic choroidal neovascularization in a young patient.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to myopic degeneration can include laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, corticosteroids, and subretinal surgery. We report a case of a young patient with myopic CNV refractive to laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treated with intravitreal pegaptanib injections.


METHODS
Interventional case report. The medical chart of a 36-year-old female treated with intravitreal pegaptanib injections was reviewed for changes in visual acuity on the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, CNV leakage on fluorescein angiography, and adverse events reported.


RESULTS
ETDRS visual acuity improved from counting fingers (CF) to 20/40 in the right eye after five, 6-weekly pegaptanib injections.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the sentinel case of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pegaptanib usage for non-wet macular degeneration via an Investigational New Drug application (Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations part 132). Pegaptanib appears to be effective in treating myopic CNV refractive to laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.
Bennett
Michael D
MD
Retina Institute of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA. mbennett@retinahawaii.com
Yee
Wendy
W
D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D047728:Myopia, Degenerative / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib