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Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in children
Karin F Mimouni1, Susan B Bressler, Neil M Bressler
1Retinal Vascular Center, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2002, USA.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin is safe for children with subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The treatment showed stable or improved vision with no serious adverse events during short-term follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Medical Retina
Background:
- Subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) can impair vision in children.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is an established treatment for CNV in adults.
- Data on PDT safety and efficacy in pediatric populations are limited.
Observation:
- This study retrospectively reviewed three pediatric patients (aged 11, 11, and 13 years) with subfoveal idiopathic CNV treated with verteporfin therapy.
- Patients were monitored for ocular and systemic adverse events immediately post-procedure and during 7-12 months of follow-up.
Findings:
- No immediate or delayed ocular complications were observed.
- Two patients experienced cessation of CNV fluorescence leakage, and one showed reduced leakage.
- Visual acuity changes were +4, +7, and 0 lines, indicating stable or improved vision.
Implications:
- Verteporfin therapy appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment option for subfoveal idiopathic CNV in children.
- Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to confirm long-term outcomes and efficacy.
- This study contributes valuable safety data for considering PDT in pediatric ophthalmology practice.
Purpose:
To report the safety of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in three children.
Design:
Retrospective interventional noncomparative case series.
Method:
Children identified from all patients treated with verteporfin therapy at a university-based practice had records reviewed for adverse retinal or systemic events.
Results:
Patients aged 11, 11, and 13 years, with subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) received verteporfin therapy with no ocular complications recognized either immediately after the procedure or during the follow-up from 7 to 12 months. Treatment resulted in cessation of fluorescence leakage from CNV by the last follow-up visit in two patients and reduced leakage from the lesion in one. The visual acuity change was + 4, +7, and 0 lines.
Conclusions:
Verteporfin therapy in three children with subfoveal CNV was associated with stable or improved vision during short-term follow-up in the absence of serious ocular or systemic adverse events.