Photodynamic Therapy-Induced Acute Exudative Maculopathy (PAEM): Prevalence, Impact and Management Strategies.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has a niche role in treating various choroidal pathologies. PDT-induced acute exudative maculopathy (PAEM) is an uncommon complication of PDT that results in exudative retinal detachment and mild to severe decrease in vision. Successful management strategies include observation, local or systemic corticosteroids, and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Most cases return to visual acuity near baseline. This review summarizes what is known about PAEM to date including etiology, prevalence, management strategies, and outcomes. We conclude that management of PAEM must take into consideration various patient-specific factors. Treatment with corticosteroids or anti-VEGF agents may expedite time to recovery, though lack of randomized controlled trials preclude firm conclusions regarding a standardized approach to managing this complication of PDT.

The role of oral steroids in the treatment of photodynamic therapy-associated exudative maculopathy, a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment of pachychoroid spectrum disease. PDT can cause a rare complication known as PDT-associated exudative maculopathy (PAEM). Treatments including intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications, local or systemic steroids, and observation have been attempted with variable success to address this complication. METHODS: A thorough literature review was performed using the PubMed database on search terms aimed at treatments of PAEM. These cases were compared with each other and a novel case of PAEM in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) treated with oral prednisone by the authors. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were compared; 11 were treated with anti-VEGF alone or in combination with intravitreal steroid and/or vitrectomy, one was treated with topical steroid, one was observed, one was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, and one was treated with oral prednisone. The two cases treated with systemic steroids were given adjunctive sub-tenon's triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) after a favorable response was observed. Most cases had anatomic resolution of serous retinal detachment with stability of vision between 16 days and 2 months, with the most rapid resolution occurring in a patient with PCV treated with oral prednisone and STTA. CONCLUSIONS: Reported treatment of PAEM includes intravitreal anti-VEGF agents with or without local or systemic steroids. Oral steroids may be advantageous in cases where there is concern regarding the risk profile of periocular steroids, intravitreal steroids or anti-VEGF agents. However, data describing the various treatments of this rare complication is limited, precluding firm conclusions regarding relative safety and efficacy.