Photodynamic therapy for subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with punctate inner choroidopathy

To evaluate the treatment of subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) using verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT) in patients affected by punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC).

A chart review of 8 patients with CNV associated with PIC treated with vPDT was done.

The 8 patients (8 eyes) included 4 men and 4 women with a mean age of 30.9 years. Six of them presented juxtafoveal CNVs, and two had subfoveal CNVs, at presentation. Mean follow-up time was 22.7 months. The VA improved in five eyes, and three eyes declined. One patient developed a new CNV a few days after vPDT, and one had multiple CNVs at presentation. Two of the 3 patients with longer follow-up period presented late recurrences.

vPDT is a beneficial resource in stabilizing and also improving VA in PIC patients affected with subfoveal and juxtafoveal CNV, although one third of the patients retain poor visual acuity.