Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in the Management of Occult Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Serous Pigment Epithelium Detachment

Vol. 221, No. 5, 2007

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Original Paper

Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in the Management of Occult Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Serous Pigment Epithelium Detachment
Ioannis D. Ladas, Athanasios I. Kotsolis, Alexandros A. Rouvas, Dimitrios Brouzas, Marilita M. Moschos

Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Athens University, Athens, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2007;221:313-319 (DOI: 10.1159/000104761)

Key Words

Occult choroidal neovascularization
Serous pigment epithelium detachment
Photodynamic therapy
Age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Hundred and fifty-three patients (161 eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV due to age-related macular degeneration, were divided into two groups. The first group (70 patients, 75 eyes) included eyes with occult CNV associated with serous PED of at least 1 disc diameter in size and the second (83 patients, 86 eyes) eyes with late leakage of undetermined source. All the patients were treated with PDT. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 48 months. Results: At the last examination, in the first group, the visual acuity (VA) improved or remained stable in 17 (22.7%) and decreased in 58 (77.3%). In the second group, the VA improved or remained stable in 37 (43%) and decreased in 49 (57%). The difference in the change (decrease) in the VA between the two groups was statistically very significant (p = 0.0075). Retinal pigment epithelium tear occurred in 15 eyes (20%) of the first group. Conclusion: Our study showed that the visual prognosis of eyes treated with PDT due to subfoveal occult CNV associated with serous PED is not favorable. We believe that the distinction between the two forms of occult CNV is essential, as they carry a different prognosis.

Author Contacts

Athanasios I. Kotsolis, MD
11 Zefiron Str.
GR-153 42, Agia Paraskevi, Athens (Greece)
Tel. +30 210 6008 962, Fax +30 210 6130 251
E-Mail thanoskotsolis@hotmail.com

Article Information

Received: June 8, 2006
Accepted after revision: September 22, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 20

Medline Abstract (ID 17728553)

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