Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for anterior segment neovascularization secondary to ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for anterior segment neovascularizations (ASNVs) in patients affected by ischaemic form of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).


METHODS
Prospective non-comparative case series including 10 consecutive patients (10 eyes) affected by ischaemic CRVO. Main outcome measure was the obliteration of ASNV.


RESULTS
One month after PDT, biomicroscopic examination showed partial obliteration of iris new vessels and complete closure of angle neovascularization. Iris fluorescein angiography performed 1 week after treatment showed partial closure of the iris new vessels with no evidence of leakage in the late phases. During the subsequent examinations, a partial reopening of the iris and angle new vessels in association with dye leakage on fluorescein angiography was evident. In any case, the fluorescein leakage turned out to be still reduced with respect to the baseline aspects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that PDT with verteporfin can partially obliterate ASNVs in eyes affected by ischaemic CRVO preventing from the evolution towards advanced stages of neovascular glaucoma, but is not effective in cases with complete angle synechial closure.
Parodi
Maurizio Battaglia
MB
Eye Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliero-University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. maubp@yahoo.it
Iacono
Pierluigi
P
Ravalico
Giuseppe
G
D000368:Aged; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000098:blood supply*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007498:Iris / Q000098:blood supply; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin