Exudative idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin

Am J Ophthalmol. 2002 Aug;134(2):277-80. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(02)01516-7.

Abstract

Purpose: To report two cases of exudative idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy treated by photodynamic therapy with verteporfin.

Design: Interventional case reports.

Methods: Two patients, a man aged 58 years and a woman aged 57 years, with recent visual impairment in the right eye (OD) (both eyes best-corrected visual acuity: 10/50 and Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity 1.35 and 1.20) and angiographically proved subfoveal idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis SA, Rueil Malmaison, France). Functional and angiographic outcomes were assessed 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

Results: In Patient 1, 3 months after treatment, best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity improved (10/16 and 1.50) and then remained stable throughout the 12 months after treatment. In Patient 2, 6 weeks after treatment, vision and contrast sensitivity were 10/20 and 1.35; and at 3 months, were improved and stabilized at 10/12.5 and 1.50. Angiographically, photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was associated with nonperfusion and occlusion of the exudative polypoidal dilations. No acute recurrence was noted during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: In subfoveal exudative idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be associated with beneficial functional results.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Choroid / blood supply*
  • Choroid / pathology
  • Choroid Diseases / diagnosis
  • Choroid Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diagnosis
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy
  • Coloring Agents
  • Contrast Sensitivity
  • Dilatation, Pathologic
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Porphyrins / therapeutic use*
  • Verteporfin
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • Verteporfin
  • Indocyanine Green