Changes of Network Vessels after Photodynamic Therapy in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the branching vascular network component of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) could be occluded after photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: A retrospective clinical study based upon indocyanine green angiogram was performed in 26 eyes of 26 patients having PCV and treated with PDT. RESULTS: Of the 19 eyes which received a single session of PDT, none showed complete occlusion of the vascular network and 16 (84%) showed, at least in part, a persisting vascular network. Of the 7 eyes which had two session of PDT, 1 (14%) showed complete occlusion of the vascular network, and 3 (43%) showed, at least in part, a persisting vascular network. Changes in the vascular network could not be evaluated with exactness in 6 eyes. Of the 18 eyes achieving clinical improvement after single PDT, 3 had recurrence of hemorrhagic or exudative changes from new polypoidal lesions which originated from the persisting vascular network. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to expect complete occlusion of branching vascular network after PDT, which means future recurrence may not be prevented even though occlusion of polyps accompanied with clinical improvement can be achieved with PDT.