Verteporforin Photodynamic Therapy for Peripapillary Choroidal Neovascularisation

Abstract

Abstract: : . Purpose: To evaluate the effect of vertepoforin photodynamic therapy in the treatment of peripapillary choroidal neovascularization. Methods: A retrospective consecutive series of patients presenting with peripapillary choroidal neovascularization. Patients received veterpoforin photodynamic therapy for leaking lesions. Age, visual acuity ( LogMAR), lesion area, lesion greatest linear dimension, distance of fovea to temporal edge of lesion were assessed at presentation, 3, 6, 9,12 months,also number of treatment sessions and visual acuity after treatment were recorded. Results: 9 patients received verteporforin photodynamic therapy for peripapillary choroidal neovascularization. Age range 50–87 years old, mean 69.78. 7 female, 2 male. Duration of presenting symptoms ranged from asymptomatic to 8 weeks. Presenting visual acuity ranged from 0.02 to0.72 logMAR (mean 0.35). 6 membranes were classic (66.7%), 1 was minimally classic (11.1%) and 2 were occult (22.2%). Area of lesion varied from 2.00mm² to 20.18mm² ( mean 7.28mm²). Greatest linear Dimension ranged from 1.93mm to 6.49mm ( mean 3.74mm). Distance from fovea to temporal edge of lesion varied from 0.14mm to 3.38mm ( mean 1.42mm). Four patients required only one treatment, three required two treatments and two patients required three treatments. Post treatment visual acuity varied from 0.05 to 1.00 logMAR (Mean 0.32) which means the mean change in visual acuity was 0.06 i.e. 3 letters on a LogMAR chart. – 3 patients vision worsened over the course of treatment. Conclusions: This small series suggests that verteporforin photodynamic therapy treatment for peipapillary choroidal neovascularization is useful and may aid preservation/improvement in vision.

Keywords: photodynamic therapy • choroid: neovascularization • optic disc