[Two-year results of photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in young patients].
OBJECTIVE
To study the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in young Japanese patients.


METHODS
Ten eyes of 10 patients aged 50 years or younger with the diagnosis of CNV were retrospectively analyzed. CNV was of idiopathic origin in 8 eyes and of myopic origin in 2. Five eyes were treated with PDT. The visual, clinical, and angiographic responses and complications were investigated. Mean follow-up period was 33.2 months.


RESULTS
The initial mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly worse in the PDT treated group than in the non-PDT treated group (0.55 vs. 0.21, p = 0.029). The mean CNV size was significantly larger in the PDT treated group (1752 microm vs. 782 microm, p = 0.014). BCVA improved in 40% (2 eyes), unchanged in 40% (2 eyes), and worsened in 20% (1 eye) in both PDT-treated and non-treated groups. No significant complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT seems to be a good treatment strategy in achieving a stable or improved vision for young CNV patients, even if they had very poor visual acuity at their initial visits. Further prospective studies are needed.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Kaori
K
Fujisato
Atsushi
A
Otani
Manabu
M
Sasahara
Yuko
Y
Yodoi
Hiroko
H
Aikawa
Hiroshi
H
Tamura
Akitaka
A
Tsujikawa
Nagahisa
N
Yoshimura
D000328:Adult; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin