Efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the management of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Hundred and fifty-three patients (161 eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV due to age-related macular degeneration, were divided into two groups. The first group (70 patients, 75 eyes) included eyes with occult CNV associated with serous PED of at least 1 disc diameter in size and the second (83 patients, 86 eyes) eyes with late leakage of undetermined source. All the patients were treated with PDT. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 48 months.


RESULTS
At the last examination, in the first group, the visual acuity (VA) improved or remained stable in 17 (22.7%) and decreased in 58 (77.3%). In the second group, the VA improved or remained stable in 37 (43%) and decreased in 49 (57%). The difference in the change (decrease) in the VA between the two groups was statistically very significant (p = 0.0075). Retinal pigment epithelium tear occurred in 15 eyes (20%) of the first group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that the visual prognosis of eyes treated with PDT due to subfoveal occult CNV associated with serous PED is not favorable. We believe that the distinction between the two forms of occult CNV is essential, as they carry a different prognosis.
Ladas
Ioannis D
ID
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Athens University, Athens, Greece.
Kotsolis
Athanasios I
AI
Rouvas
Alexandros A
AA
Brouzas
Dimitrios
D
Moschos
Marilita M
MM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity