Photodynamic therapy for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization due to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in patients with juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) for ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS).

METHODS:

Retrospective review. Data regarding the following variables were extracted from patient charts: demographic characteristics, previous surgeries, angiographic features, number and time of treatments, follow-up time, and change in visual acuity.

RESULTS:

This study sample consisted of 23 eyes of 23 consecutive patients who were treated with photodynamic therapy for the management of juxtafoveal CNV. When post-treatment visual acuity (mean logMAR acuity=0.321) was compared to baseline acuity (mean logMAR visual acuity=3.89) vision improved by more than three Snellen lines in 30% of eyes, remained the same (+/-2 Snellen lines) in 52% of eyes, and worsened (greater than a two-line loss in visual acuity) in 18% of eyes. Although this series was uncontrolled, the patients had a trend toward a therapeutic benefit when compared to published natural history of similar cases (OR=0.292, P value=0.071 when compared to data from the Macular Photocoagulation Study for treatment of juxtafoveal lesions).

CONCLUSION:

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be beneficial in patients with juxtafoveal CNV secondary to OHS in terms of both visual stabilization and improvement.

• Authors: Gaurav K Shah, Kevin J Blinder, Seenu M Hariprasad, Matthew A Thomas, Edwin H Ryan Jr, Jeff Bakal, Sanjay Sharma
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 26-32 (Jan 2005) ISSN: 0275-004X [Print] United States
• PMID: 15655437 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Porphyrins
• Verteporfin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Choroidal Neovascularization (drug therapy, etiology)
• Eye Infections, Fungal (complications)
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Follow-Up Studies
• Fovea Centralis
• Histoplasmosis (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Porphyrins (therapeutic use)
• Retinal Diseases (complications)
• Retrospective Studies
• Syndrome
• Verteporfin
• Visual Acuity