Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in children

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.