[Photodynamic therapy: extended indication].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Evaluation of efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) beyond the common indication.

METHODS:

A group of 256 patients was treated with photodynamic therapy from January to December 2000. Ten of these patients had a predominantly classic CNV due to angioid streaks (5), parafoveal telangiectasia (2), or chorioretinitis (3). In two patients an idiopathic origin of the CNV was presumed. Another 21 patients showed a juxtafoveal classic membrane (12) or a recurrence after laser photocoagulation (9). Visual acuity was evaluated, also in correlation to age and CNV size. Continuous follow-up of CNV and leakage size was performed with fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS:

Overall 85% of the patients showed visual stabilization or improvement during an average observation period of 10.5 months. A correlation was found between age and visual improvement favoring younger patients; however, no correlation was found between visual improvement and CNV size. CNV and leakage size decreased moderately over the 9-month follow-up from 1.81/3.45 mm(2) to 1.61/2.60 mm(2).

CONCLUSION:

PDT shows efficacy for classic choroidal neovascularization beyond the common indication.

• Authors: R Müller-Velten, St Michels, U Schmidt-Erfurth, H Laqua
• Journal: Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (Ophthalmologe) Vol. 100 Issue 5 Pg. 384-90 (May 2003) ISSN: 0941-293X [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Photodynamische Therapie: erweiterte Indikationen.
• PMID: 12748804 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Porphyrins
• Verteporfin

Topics

• Choroidal Neovascularization (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Epiretinal Membrane (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Fluorescein Angiography (drug effects)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation
• Humans
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Porphyrins (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Verteporfin
• Visual Acuity (drug effects)