Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia: a 12-month retrospective review

PURPOSE. To evaluate the visual outcome of patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT-V) and to verify the predictive role of visual and angiographic parameters. METHODS. This is a retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series study of subjects with subfoveal CNV secondary to pathologic myopia. All patients received PDT- V according to VIP guidelines. A complete ophthalmologic evaluation was performed on all patients and included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination, and fluorescein angiography (FA, IMAGEnet System, Topcon Corp., Japan). CNV size (mm 2 ) was directly measured on the early phase of the angiogram using the software included with the IMAGEnet package. All checks were scheduled at 3-month intervals for a period of 1 year. A review of medical and angiographic records was performed and assessed throughout a 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS. A total of 62 patients (62 eyes) were examined. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) moderately decreased without reaching a statistically noticeable level throughout the follow-up; reduction in lesion size reached a significant level at the second checkup. A significant correlation between higher baseline BCVA and better final visual outcome was detected. CONCLUSIONS. Standardized PDT-V minimizes central vision deterioration in patients with CNV secondary to pathologic myopia. Better BCVA at presentation represents a good predictive sign.