Thiel M. J., Lackerbauer C.-A., Hoops J. P

Augenklinik der LMU München, Mathildenstr. 8, 80336 München

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel treatment for patients with age related macular degeneration (AMD). The published studies show that patients with a predominantly classical choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) can benefit from PDT. We report 4 patients with former occult CNV who developed a predominantly classical CNV and were treated with PDT.
Patients and Methods: four patients (2 male, 2 female, mean age 79 years +/- 4 years) developed a predominantly classical subfoveal CNV and received PDT if the criteria for PDT were fulfilled. In all patients a switch from angiographically diagnosed occult CNV to classical CNV was noted. During each visit we evaluated visual acuity (logMar), magnification need (Zeiss boards) a complete ophthalmologic status and fluorescent angiography.1 patient could be followed for 12 months, 2 patients for 9 months and 1 patient for 6 months
Results: Patient 1 had a large subretinal haemorrhage 1 day after the second PDT and a decrease in visual acuity (VA) from 0,6 to 1,5. Patient 2 showed a decrease in VA from 1,0 to 1,1 while the remaining patients had no change (1,0 and 1,1 respectively) in VA. The need for magnification increased in 3 patients (patient 1 from 6,25 to more than 20, patient 2 from 6,25 to 18, patient 3 from 3,3 to 20) and decreased in patient 4 from 12,5 to 6,25.
Conclusion: This investigation in 4 individuals shows that the functional outcome of patients with former occult then classical CNV is similar to our patients with initially classical CNV. We currently do not know whether a subretinal haemorrhage occurs more frequently in former occult then classical CNV than in initially classical CNV. It therefore seems adequate that regular checkups are done in patients with occult CNV to avoid that a treatable CNV is missed.

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

Last updated: 

Webdesign: SPALLEK.COM