Long-term follow-up of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin

Purpose To report on the clinical features of three cases of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) during long-term follow-up after photodynamic therapy (PDT). Design Interventional case reports. Methods Among the participants in the Japanese Age-Related Macular Degeneration Trial (JAT) at our hospital, a PCV was seen in three eyes at baseline on retrospective analysis of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) using fundus camera. We report the clinical features of these cases during more than 4 years follow-up. Results The mean number of PDT treatments was 5.7. Improved visual acuity (VA) and cessation of fluorescein leakage was achieved within 18 months in all eyes; however, subretinal hemorrhage and subfoveal fluid recurred due to new or recurrent PCV. The final VA decreased markedly in two eyes. Conclusions The eyes with PCV, which had been treated successfully with PDT, may have developed new or recurrent PCV during long-term follow-up. Periodical ICGA would be needed to detect abnormal choroidal vascular changes. The authors have no proprietary interest in any aspect of this report.