Long-term Results of Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Angioid Streaks

Purpose: To evaluate long term efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the choroidal neovasculariation (CNV) associated with angioid streaks (AS). Methods: Six eyes of six patients with CNV secondary to AS were reviewed. Standardized protocol visual acuity testing, ophthalmologic examination, color photographs, fluorescein angiograms (FFA) were used to evaluate the results of PDT. Follow-up ranged from 36 to 48 months with a mean of 40.5 months. Results: Patient's mean age was 39 +/- 7 years (range, 30-47 years). CNV was extrafoveal in one case, juxtrafoveal in another case and subfoveal in the remaining 4 cases. Baseline visual acuity was between 6/10 and 1/10. One patient was treated once, another patient was treated three times and remaning 4 patients were treated twice. At the last examination, visual acuity improved in the first 3 patients who had smaller lesion (GLD less than 2200 mu) and decreased in the last 3 patients who had larger lesion (GLD more than 3200 rho). Conversion from the CNV to the fibrous scar following treatment was observed in the last 3 patients. Conclusion: This small series suggest that treatment of CNV secondary to AS with PDT seems to prevent visual loss in some patients for the long term follow-up, particularly in those with smaller lesion at baseline.