Long-term results of photodynamic therapy of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) 24 months or more after treatment.


METHODS
The study involved 47 eyes of 47 patients with PCV followed for 24 months or more after the first PDT. Fundus appearance, indocyanine green angiographic findings, and visual acuity (VA) were compared before PDT, and then at 3 months, 12 months, and the final visit after the first PDT.


RESULTS
At the final visit, VA was preserved or improved in 37 (79%) of the 47 eyes. Recurrence of polypoidal lesions was noted in 30 eyes (64%). An abnormal branching vascular network persisted in all subjects. In 26 of the 30 eyes exhibited recurrence of polypoidal lesions, which appeared in the periphery of the expanded abnormal branching vascular network.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with PCV need to be followed for long periods of time after PDT because of the high incidence of polypoidal lesion recurrence. However, since polypoidal lesions often recur outside the fovea, and thus have little effect on VA, PDT can be expected to exert long-term efficacy in treating PCV.
Akaza
Eriko
E
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Japan. merryeriko@hotmail.com
Mori
Ryusaburo
R
Yuzawa
Mitsuko
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D007208:Indocyanine Green