Müller-Velten R., Michels S. M., Schmidt-Erfurth U., Laqua H.

Augenklinik der Universität Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck

Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in classic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) recommended beyond.
Methods: A group of 256 patients was treated with photodynamic therapy between 1 and 12/2000. 7 of these patients demonstrated a predominantly classic CNV due to angioid streaks (3), parafoveal teleangiektasia (2) or following chorioretinitis (2). In 3 patients an idiopathic origin of the CNV was presumed. Another 10 patients showed an juxtafoveal classic membrane (5) or a recurrence after laser koagulation (5). Central visual acuity, CNV size and leakage area in fluorescein angiography were evaluated.
Results: 80% of the patients showed visual stabilization or improvement over 7 months. CNV- and leakage size decreased moderately over the 7 months follow-up from 1,87/3,35mm2 to 1,75/2,96mm2. A decrease in vision was only found in patients with CNV due to angioid streaks and recurrence after lasercoagulation. In eyes which had undergone previous coagulation v.a. remaned stable in 3 eyes and decreased in 2 eyes. In the subgroup with angioid streaks a decline in vision was observed in all cases.
Conclusion: PDT shows efficacy for classic choroidal neovascularisation outside the common indication. This applies particularly to classic membranes with juxtafoveal location, but also for CNV secondary to a localized precedent pathology. An initial coagulation or the presence of angioid streaks appears to be an unfavorable prognostic factor.

Copyright © Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft, 2001. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 

Webdesign: SPALLEK.COM