Long-term follow-up of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007 Oct;245(10):1569-71. doi: 10.1007/s00417-007-0582-9. Epub 2007 Apr 17.

Abstract

Purpose: To report on the clinical features of three cases of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) during long-term follow-up after photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Design: Interventional case reports.

Methods: Among the participants in the Japanese Age-Related Macular Degeneration Trial (JAT) at our hospital, a PCV was seen in three eyes at baseline on retrospective analysis of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) using fundus camera. We report the clinical features of these cases during more than 4 years follow-up.

Results: The mean number of PDT treatments was 5.7. Improved visual acuity (VA) and cessation of fluorescein leakage was achieved within 18 months in all eyes; however, subretinal hemorrhage and subfoveal fluid recurred due to new or recurrent PCV. The final VA decreased markedly in two eyes.

Conclusions: The eyes with PCV, which had been treated successfully with PDT, may have developed new or recurrent PCV during long-term follow-up. Periodical ICGA would be needed to detect abnormal choroidal vascular changes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Choroid / blood supply*
  • Coloring Agents
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green
  • Male
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Porphyrins / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Verteporfin
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

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