Abstract
Background
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis, Bülach, Switzerland) has been proposed for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia. We retrospectively evaluated the effects of verteporfin therapy of subfoveal recurrences of extrafoveal myopic CNV previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation.
Methods
Twelve eyes, previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation for extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization, received photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal recurrence of choroidal new vessels. Thirteen eyes that did not receive photodynamic therapy served as control group. Vision and fluorescein angiography outcomes were analyzed on all study visits (every 3 months) through month 12. Visual acuity was measured in Snellen lines.
Results
On average, at the month 12 examination the verteporfin-treated group had gained 2 lines and the untreated group had lost 1 line of vision. Eleven eyes of the verteporfin-treated group compared with nine eyes of the untreated group lost fewer than 3 lines of vision, including four eyes versus none improving at least 1 line of vision.
Conclusion
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin might increase the chance of stabilizing or improving vision in patients with subfoveal recurrences of extrafoveal myopic CNV previously treated with thermal laser photocoagulation. A prospective, randomized study on larger series of patients is mandatory.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Battaglia Parodi M, Da Pozzo S, Ravalico G (2003) Angiographic features after photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration and pathologic myopia. Br J Ophthalmol 87:177–183
Brancato R, Pece A, Avanza P, Raddrizzani E (1990) Photocoagulation scar expansion after laser therapy of choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia. Retina 10:239–243
Curtin J (1985) The myopias. Basic science and clinical management. Harper & Row, Philadelphia, 7–10
Curtin J (1985) The myopias. Basic science and clinical management. Harper & Row, Philadelphia, 309–330
Husain D, Kramer M, Kenny AG et al (1999) Effects of photodynamic therapy using verteporfin on experimental choroidal neovascularization and normal retina and choroid up to 7 weeks after treatment. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 40:2322–2331
Lim JI, VIP Study Group (2001) Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in pathologic myopia using verteporfin: two-year result. VIP Report #4 [ARVO Abstract] Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 42(4):S304, abstract 1637
Pece A, Brancato R, Avanza P, Camesasca F, Galli L (1995) Laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia: long-term results. Int Ophthalmol 18:339–344
Soubrane G, Coscas G, Kuhn D (1999) Myopia. In: Guyer DR, Yannuzzi LA, Chang S, Shields JA, Green WR (eds) Retina, vitreous, macula. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 189–205
Soubrane G, Pison J, Bornert P, et al (1986) Néo-vaisseaux sou-rétiniens de la myopie dégénérative: résultates de la photocoagulation: Bull Soc Ophtalmol Fr 86:269–272
Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) Study Group (1999) Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration with verteporfin: one-year results of 2 randomized clinical trials. TAP report no. 1. Arch Ophthalmol 117:1329–1345
Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy (VIP) Study Group (2001) Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia with verteporfin: 1-year results of a randomized clinical trial. VIP report no. 1. Ophthalmology 108:841–852
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Presented in part at the XXIII Club Jules Gonin Meeting, Montreux, Switzerland, 31 August–4 September 2002
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bandello, F., Lanzetta, P., Battaglia Parodi, M. et al. Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal recurrences after laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 241, 567–570 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-003-0686-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-003-0686-9