Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in pediatric patients

Purpose: To report the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in pediatric patients. Methods: Five patients (age range, 7-15 years) who underwent PDT for idiopathic CNV (n = 2) or CNV secondary to macular toxoplasmic scar (n = 3) were included in this study. Follow-up ranged from 12 months to 18 months. PDT was performed according to the standard protocol. We evaluated visual acuity, fluorescein leakage from the CNV, greatest linear dimension of the lesion, and occurrence of ocular or systemic adverse events at baseline and during follow-up. Results: No severe or moderate visual loss occurred in all cases during follow-up. PDT reduced CNV leakage in four cases. No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were recorded. Retinal pigment epithelium atrophic changes were observed around the regressed CNV, but they did not appear to cause visual loss. Conclusions: PDT was safe for pediatric patients, and visual acuity was substantially stable after one or few treatments. Further follow-up is needed to assess if retinal pigment epithelium atrophic changes around the regressed CNV, possibly related to PDT, could affect vision in the long term.