Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for corneal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for the treatment of patients with corneal neovascularization.


METHODS
Prospective interventional case series.


METHODS
Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with stable corneal neovascularization who were refractory to conventional treatment were treated with photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (6 mg/m(2)). Five patients were treated following penetrating keratoplasty (PK), and two patients were treated before PK. Anterior segment photography was performed before and after treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and area of corneal neovascularization were measured.


RESULTS
At the one-year follow-up, 14 eyes (77.8%) showed a decrease in corneal neovascularization, and nine eyes (50.0%) showed complete vascular occlusion. In five patients who had corneal allograft, complete or partial occlusion was achieved in all eyes. Two patients who underwent subsequent keratoplasty did not manifest allograft rejection or revascularization. Seventeen eyes (94.4%) had stable or improved vision. The mean area of corneal neovascularization significantly decreased from 25.5 +/- 14.2 mm(2) to 14.9 +/- 14.6 mm(2) (P < .01), respectively. No significant complications associated with photodynamic therapy were observed except mild stromal haze in one eye.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be effective for the treatment of corneal neovascularization.
Yoon
Kyung-Chul
KC
Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Korea. kcyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
You
In-Cheon
IC
Kang
In-Seong
IS
Im
Seong-Kyu
SK
Ahn
Jae-Kyoun
JK
Park
Yeoung-Geol
YG
Ahn
Kyu Youn
KY
D000328:Adult; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin