Lack of apparent short-term benefit of photodynamic therapy in bilateral, acquired, parafoveal telangiectasis without subretinal neovascularization

Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Nov;138(5):892-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.06.010.

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in bilateral acquired parafoveal telangiectasis.

Design: Interventional cases report.

Method: Retrospective analysis of visual acuity measured with ETDRS charts and of fluorescein angiography findings for two women in whom the eye with lesser visual acuity was treated by PDT for bilateral acquired parafoveal telangiectasis without subretinal neovascularization.

Results: Initial visual acuity of the treated eye was 20/63 in both patients and did not change significantly for 3 to 6 months after one session of PDT. Fluorescein angiography in both cases and optical coherence tomography in one case also appeared unchanged. No adverse effect has been observed.

Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy was not beneficial for the outcome of these patients with bilateral acquired telangiectasis, because it improved neither their visual acuity nor their macular edema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Porphyrins / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Retinal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Neovascularization / drug therapy
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects*
  • Retinal Vessels / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Telangiectasis / diagnosis
  • Telangiectasis / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Verteporfin
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • Verteporfin