Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: This was a retrospective study in two tertiary referral centres over a 3-year period. Examinations included visual acuity assessment with ETDRS charts, binocular fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography. PDT was performed with standard parameters; earlier retreatments were feasible in active CNV. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes from 12 patients (9 male, 3 female) with a follow-up of 12-50 months (mean 26.1, median 19 months) were included. Five lesions were extra-or juxtafoveal and ten were subfoveal. Baseline visual acuity was between 20/63 and 20/16 (mean 20/32, median 20/32). Eyes were treated with two to eight treatments of PDT (mean 4.2, median 4). Treatment intervals were between 5.6 and 72 weeks (mean 12.1, median 9.2 weeks). At the 1-year follow-up, visual acuity was below 20/200 in 27% (4/15), 20/200 or better in 73% (11/15) and 20/63 or better in 47% (7/15) with an improvement of >3 lines in 13% (2/15), no change in 27% (4/15) and a decrease of >3 lines in 60% (9/15). At the final follow-up examination, all lesions were located subfoveally. Visual acuity was below 20/200 in 47% (7/15), 20/200 or better in 53% (8/15) and 20/63 or better in 13% (2/15) with a change in visual acuity between +2 and -18 lines (mean -9 lines, median -8 lines). No change was noted in 7% (1/15) and a decrease of >3 lines in 93% (14/15) of eyes. The maximum measured greatest linear dimension of the lesion during the follow-up varied between 2400 microm and 6200 microm (mean 3680 microm, median 3600 microm) with an increase in the lesion size compared with baseline values between +/-0 microm and +3700 microm (mean+1420 microm, median+1500 microm). CONCLUSION:
PDT for CNV associated with angioid streaks seemed to slow down but not prevent the progression of the disease and associated visual loss. Further modifications of the treatments parameters or a combination with other therapeutical options seem warranted for a more effective treatment of these lesions.
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Authors | Heinrich Heimann, Faik Gelisken, Joachim Wachtlin, Andreas Wehner, Michael Völker, Michael H Foerster, Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt |
Journal | Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie
(Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol)
Vol. 243
Issue 11
Pg. 1115-23
(Nov 2005)
ISSN: 0721-832X [Print] Germany |
PMID | 15947939
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Photosensitizing Agents
- Porphyrins
- Verteporfin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Angioid Streaks
(complications, drug therapy)
- Choroidal Neovascularization
(complications, drug therapy)
- Female
- Fluorescein Angiography
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Photochemotherapy
- Photosensitizing Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Porphyrins
(therapeutic use)
- Retrospective Studies
- Verteporfin
- Visual Acuity
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