Abstract

Aims: To clarify vascular changes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) after photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods: Thirty-one eyes underwent PDT with verteporfin and were followed every 3 months with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) using confocal scanning ophthalmoscope and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for over 15 months and the findings recorded.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 19.2 months. Regression of the polypoidal lesions were confirmed once in 29 eyes (94%) on ICGA and OCT. Some lesions recurred at the initial regions (n = 5 eyes), at different regions connected to the branching vascular network (n = 4 eyes), and at both regions (n = 1 eye) (mean 11.4 (SD 1.9) months) after initial PDT. The branching vascular network remained in all eyes and enlarged in 13 eyes (42%) at the final visit. The vascular features of residual branching vascular networks changed (n = 7 eyes); fibrinous subretinal exudation developed (n = 4 eyes), and the retinal pigment epithelium was elevated similar to vascularised pigment epithelial detachment (n = 3 eyes).

Conclusion: Polypoidal lesions of PCV are treatable with PDT; however, they often recur. The branching vascular networks do not regress and allow the recurrence of polypoidal lesions at the network termini. Alterations of the vascular features may occur; careful observation is needed after PDT.