Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization in patients with angioid streaks

To evaluate the functional and anatomic outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with angioid streaks.

The authors retrospectively evaluated 6 consecutive patients (6 eyes) with CNV secondary to angioid streaks. All patients were treated with standard PDT with verteporfin protocol. Standardized protocol refraction, visual acuity testing, ophthalmologic examination, color photographs, fluorescein angiograms and indocyanin angiograms were used to evaluate the results of PDT with verteporfin. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and CNV size.

Their mean age was 61.3+/-5.50 years (range, 53-68 years). Follow-up time ranged from 12 to 38 months with mean of 20.5+/-10.91 months. The mean visual acuity at baseline was 20/100 (range 20/25-20/500), and the mean visual acuity at the last examination was 20/320(range 20/125-counting finger). The mean greatest linear dimension (GLD) at baseline was 2400+/-766.81 micrometer, and the mean GLD at the last examination was 3483+/-444.59 micrometer.

PDT for CNV associated with angioid streaks seemed to slow down but not prevent the progression of the disease and associated visual loss.