Resolution of bilateral corneal neovascularization and lipid keratopathy after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to describe the result of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne(®), Novartis Ophthalmics AG, Hettingen, Switzerland) on bilateral corneal neovascularization (CN) and lipid keratopathy.

METHODS:

A 36-year-old man with bilateral CN and visually significant lipid keratopathy presented to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital with decreased visual acuity in both eyes; bilateral refractive surgery had been done several years before. He was wearing hard contact lenses and had a history of repeated keratitis in both eyes. Eyes were treated with nonthermal laser light at 689 nm delivered 15 minutes after an intravenous infusion of verteporfin, 6 mg/m(2) of body surface area, which was repeated 2 months after his first session. He was followed up regularly for 4 years with ophthalmic examinations and photographic documentation.

RESULTS:

Successful occlusion of the CN was observed by the third month, and a dramatic resorption of lipid keratopathy was noticed by the end of the first year in both eyes. Best-corrected visual acuities improved from 20/80 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye to 20/30 with each eye. During the 4-year follow-up period, neither recurrence nor complications of the treatment was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Laser therapy with verteporfin can be added to the armamentarium of treatments for CN as a safe and effective option.

• Authors: Abdulelah A Al-Abdullah, Abdullah Al-Assiri
• Journal: Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.) (Optometry) Vol. 82 Issue 4 Pg. 212-4 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1558-1527 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21216676 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 American Optometric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Porphyrins
• Verteporfin

Topics

• Adult
• Corneal Neovascularization (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Porphyrins (therapeutic use)
• Verteporfin