[Two-year results of photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in young patients]

To study the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in young Japanese patients.

Ten eyes of 10 patients aged 50 years or younger with the diagnosis of CNV were retrospectively analyzed. CNV was of idiopathic origin in 8 eyes and of myopic origin in 2. Five eyes were treated with PDT. The visual, clinical, and angiographic responses and complications were investigated. Mean follow-up period was 33.2 months.

The initial mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly worse in the PDT treated group than in the non-PDT treated group (0.55 vs. 0.21, p = 0.029). The mean CNV size was significantly larger in the PDT treated group (1752 microm vs. 782 microm, p = 0.014). BCVA improved in 40% (2 eyes), unchanged in 40% (2 eyes), and worsened in 20% (1 eye) in both PDT-treated and non-treated groups. No significant complications were observed.

PDT seems to be a good treatment strategy in achieving a stable or improved vision for young CNV patients, even if they had very poor visual acuity at their initial visits. Further prospective studies are needed.