Photodynamic therapy of a posttraumatic choroidal neovascular membrane

The authors present a patient with posttraumatic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) treated with PDT resulting in regression of the CNVM.     

Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to optic nerve drusen.

The authors describe the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to optic nerve drusen. A 28-year-old woman had a peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to optic nerve drusen with significant metamorphopsia. Photodynamic therapy using verteporfin was performed. Visual acuity improved to 20/20 with resolution of metamorphopsia and absence of leakage on fluorescein angiography a few weeks after verteporfin therapy. The patient's condition remained stable for 16 months with 20/20 vision. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be a useful treatment option in patients with choroidal neovascular membranes secondary to optic nerve drusen.     

光动力疗法治疗脉络膜新生血管性疾病的初步临床观察

目的:观察使用维替泊芬光动力疗法(photodynamic thera-py,PDT)治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性(age-related maculardegeneration,AMD)、病理性近视和特发性脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization,CNV)等3种主要的CNV相关疾病的临床效果。方法:对96例(109眼)经临床确诊的上述CNV患者进行PDT治疗,随访1～24(平均9.4)mo。采用最佳矫正视力、荧光素血管造影、吲哚青绿血管造影、光学相干断层成像等指标,观察治疗前后患者的视功能、CNV病灶大小及渗漏情况、以及视网膜水肿变化等,评价PDT治疗CNV的疗效。结果:本组病例包括AMD42例(54眼),病理性近视17例(18眼),特发性CNV患者37例(37眼)。AMD、病理性近视和特发性CNV的平均治疗次数分别为1.2,1.5和1.2次;视力稳定和提高者各组分别为83.3%,83.3%和86.5%;CNV渗漏停止或减少者各组分别为90.7%,83.3%和89.2%:视网膜水肿减轻者各组分别为77.8%,88.9%和86.5%。除3例AMD患者出现眼部严重不良反应外,未发现其他严重不良反应。结论:PDT可有效地改善或稳定AMD、病理性近视和特发性CNV患者的视功能,控制病变进展,近期随访结果安全有效。     

Photodynamic therapy and intravitreal triamcinolone for extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

We report a case of extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with photodynamics therapy (PDT) and intravitreal triamcinolone. Nine months following PDT and intravitreal triamcinolone, no ophthalmoscopic or angiographic evidence of recurrent CNV in the left eye was found. The intraocular pressure (IOP) increased from 10 mmHg on presentation to 20 mmHg at 9 months. No IOP-lowering agents were required. The mild nuclear sclerosis remained unchanged. The authors have stated that they do not have a significant financial interest or other relationship with any product manufacturer or provider of services discussed in this article. The authors also do not dicuss the use of off-label products, which include unlabeled, unapproved, or investigative products or devices.     

Photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

AIM: To assess the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH). METHODS: Six eyes of six patients with VKH who developed subfoveal CNV underwent standard PDT. Repeated treatments were performed at 3 month intervals for persistent leakage. Charts and angiographic data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Age of patients ranged between 17 years and 27 years. Five CNV lesions were recent and classic (greatest lesion diameter was 1100-3100 microm). One CNV was chronic and partially scarred. Mean visual acuity (VA) at presentation was 20/200. Five patients had more than 1 year of follow up. In five eyes there was active inflammation and CNV. Of these eyes, the first three required one PDT each. The final CNV scar was smaller/stable with improvement of VA in two eyes. The third developed a larger CNV scar with loss of two lines of VA. Submacular fibrosis developed in all three. In the fourth eye, mild CNV leakage persisted after one PDT but hazy media precluded a second PDT. At 18 months the CNV scar and VA were stable. The fifth case, with mild inflammation, required three PDT. The CNV leakage became minimal, the lesion became smaller, and VA improved significantly. The sixth eye with CNV had no inflammation and needed two PDT sessions to halt the CNV leakage. The final lesion was smaller and vision was stable. There were no PDT related complications in our series. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin appears to be a safe and viable treatment option for subfoveal CNV secondary to VKH. It offers a chance for stabilisation or even improvement of vision. Further study is warranted.     

Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization: clinical and angiographic examples

· Background: Conventional photocoagulation of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is often accompanied by visual loss due to thermal damage to adjacent retinal structures. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) allows vascular occlusion by selective photochemical destruction of vascular endothelial cells only. In a pilot study we evaluated the use of PDT in CNV. · Methods: In a clinical phase I/II trial, patients with subfoveal CNV were treated with PDT. Benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD) was used as sensitizer at a drug dose of 6 mg/m² or 12 mg/m². Irradiation was performed via a diode laser emitting at 690 nm coupled into a slit lamp. Safe and maximum tolerated light doses were defined by dose escalation from 25 to 150 J/cm². Photodynamic effects were documented ophthalmoscopically and angiographically. · Results: Sixty-one patients received a single course of BPD-PDT. Preliminary results suggest no damage to retinal structures within the treated area clinically. Retinal perfusion was not altered, while CNV demonstrated immediate absence of fluorescein leakage in the majority of lesions subsequent to PDT. At optimized parameters (6 mg/m² and 50 J/cm²) complete cessation of leakage from classic CNV occurred in 100% of cases at 1 week and in 50% at week 4. In 70–80% of classic CNV, leakage reappeared at week 12, but markedly less than before treatment. · Conclusion: PDT allows temporary absence of leakage from CNV with preservation of visual acuity. The long-term prognosis of CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration treated with repeated courses of PDT is being evaluated in a phase III trial. Received: 4 March 1997 Revised version received: 8 September 1997 Accepted: 25 September 1997     

Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization: a review

PURPOSE: To review the biophysical basis and current state of therapy for photodynamic closure of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in the eye. METHODS: A review of the literature is included, which encompasses the chemical structure, biophysical mechanism of action, range of available agents, status of clinical trials, clinical indications, results of treatments, complications, and future directions. RESULTS: Photodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective in closing both experimental choroidal neovascularization in animal models as well as subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in humans. The therapy results in temporary closure of choroidal new vessels for a period of approximately 1 to 4 weeks. By 12 weeks, most patients have reperfusion or reproliferation of choroidal new vessels resulting in the need for retreatment to achieve continued closure and visual stabilization. Differences exist in the quantum yield, clinical efficiency, and light and sensitizer dose requirements between different classes of agents. Further clinical trials will be required to determine the optimal form of therapy, with verteporfin (Visudyne) as the only currently approved agent. Other agents, including tin etiopurpurin (Purlytin) and motexafin lutetium (Optrin), are currently undergoing phase III, and phase II trials, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment modality shown to be effective in achieving closure and stabilization of vision loss compared with placebo control in eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.     

Photodynamic therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology -     

光动力疗法治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤

目的探讨光动力疗法（PDT）治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的临床效果及安全性。方法孤立性脉络膜血管瘤患者5例,均经眼底检查、荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）及彩色超声多普勒（CDI）检查确诊。其中4例伴有渗出性视网膜脱离和黄斑水肿。患者最佳矫正视力为0．02-0．8,CDI检查瘤体最大厚度为2．8-5．4mm,最大直径6．5-12．5mm。经PDT治疗后,患者随访时间为13-56周。结果所有患者均经1次PDT治疗后,渗出性视网膜脱离完全吸收,视力均稳定和提高。最终随访,患者最佳矫正视力为0．2-0．9。结论PDT治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤特别是位于黄斑部的脉络膜血管瘤的效果好且安全,可使瘤体萎缩并保存或提高患者视力。     

孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的光动力疗法治疗观察

目的观察光动力疗法(PDT)治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的临床效果。方法回顾分析采用PDT连续治疗的14例孤立性脉络膜血管瘤患者的临床资料。14例患者均经过临床常规眼科检查和荧光素眼底血管造影以及B型超声等检查确诊。治疗前最佳矫正视力0.01~0.8;B型超声检查肿瘤直径为7.2~9.8 mm,最大直径平均为(8.4±0.8)mm,厚度为1.7~4.9 mm,最大厚度平均为(3.5±0.9)mm。8例患者同时合并有视网膜脱离,其高度为0.5~4.0 mm,1例伴有视网膜囊肿。PDT治疗时静脉注射维替泊芬,剂量为6 m g/m2,10 m in内注射完毕。5 m in后应用689 nm波长激光进行照射,激光参数为50~75 J/cm2,时间83~125 s,1~4个光斑。治疗后随访时间为3~24个月,平均随访时间为9.1个月。结果最后随访时视力为0.04~1.0。其中,8例视力提高2行以上,6例视力稳定(变化不超过2行)。B型超声检查,4例患者肿瘤难以测出;其他10例患者肿瘤直径0~8.0 mm,最大直径平均为(5.0±3.4)mm,肿瘤厚度为0~3.5 mm,最大厚度平均为(1.6±1.3)mm。7例患者视网膜脱离消失,1例视网膜仍脱离1 mm但视网膜囊肿消失。结论PDT治疗可使脉络膜血管瘤肿瘤萎缩,视网膜下液消失,视网膜复位,达到提高或保存视力的目的;是治疗包括位于黄斑部的孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的安全有效方法。     

Photodynamic therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

The first effective therapy for exudative macular degeneration (AMD) was Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Diagnosis of the disease was to a large extent by fluorescein angiography (FA). Distinguishing between the leaky choroidal neovessels (CNV) associated with exudative AMD, and the polypoidal structures associated with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) is not always easy using FA alone. The switch to Indocyanine Green angiography helped to pinpoint PCV, and thus to study the efficacy of photodynamic therapy of this particular form of retinal disease, which is more frequently encountered among pigmented individuals. The results appear to be quite promising, and in the year following treatment only a small fraction of the patients had to be retreated. Alternatively, treating PCV with repeated intravitreal VEGF blocking agents was not as successful as it was in the treatment of wet AMD. However, combining PDT-induced angio-occlusion of the polypoidal lesions with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy was shown to be quite effective, and the combination of PDT with an anti-angiogenic agent as well as a steroid, in a triple therapy, was recently also shown to be a quite promising option. In the present article we review the data on PDT of PCV, including combination therapies and alternative treatments. We also report on similarities and differences between AMD and PCV.     

Photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new treatment for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH). METHODS: Eight patients with CCH were treated with PDT using a protocol similar to that used in the standard treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved in six of eight eyes, remained unchanged in one eye and deteriorated in one eye after 3-15 months (median 7 months) follow-up. Pre-treatment metamorphopsia disappeared in all but two cases. The thickness of the CCH measured with standardized echography showed marked regression within 1 month after PDT. In six eyes there was no remaining protrusion after PDT and one lesion was barely detectable. One patient experienced a transient choroidal effusion and perifoveal haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy is a promising new treatment for CCH as it restores visual function in most cases without causing apparent ocular or systemic side-effects.     

Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus

PURPOSE: To describe a patient treated with photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 61-year-old woman presented with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/50. The choroidal neovascularization was treated with two verteporfin photodynamic therapy sessions, separated by 3 months. RESULTS: The choroidal neovascularization was occluded after two sessions. Best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/25 and remained stable throughout an 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy seems to be an effective treatment for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus.