Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar

Background: To assess the effect of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization consecutive to a toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar. History and signs: Three patients with a previous history of toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar noticed a decrease in visual acuity and metamorphopsia. Fundus examination and fluorescein angiography revealed the presence of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization at the edge of the toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar. Therapy and outcome: The first patient, aged 78, was treated by photodynamic therapy followed by three subsequent treatments of feeder vessel by laser photocoagulation. Visual acuity decreased during follow-up in the presence of recurrence of choroidal neovascularization and subretinal fibrosis. The second patient, a 20-year-old lady, was treated with three sessions of photodynamic therapy for a subfoveal choroidal neovascularization related to a toxoplasmic scar. Visual acuity was stabilized on the last follow-up visit at 0.3. The third patient, aged 53, received four treatments with photodynamic therapy at an interval of 3-4 months. choroidal neovascularization was stabilized and the last visual acuity was 0.2. Conclusions: This preliminary report suggests that photodynamic therapy with verteporfine may be an effective therapeutic modality for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization related to a toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar. Further assessment is needed in order to confirm this preliminary findings.