Treatment of choroidal neovascularisation in highly myopic eyes

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness (visual outcome) of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT) and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathologic myopia. Methods: A retrospective study of choroidal neovascularisation in highly myopic patients was undertaken at the Eye Hospital Ljubljana (from 2004 to 2010). The main outcome measures were: spherical equivalent, age at onset of CNV, composition and location of CNV, visual acuity before treatment, treatment type (PDT, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, combination of both treatments), visual acuity after treatment and treatment-related complications. Results: Fifty-nine eyes of 59 patients (7 men and 52 women) with myopic CNV were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 59.7 (range 26–83) years and the spherical equivalent refractive error was – 10.2 D (range – 6.0 D to – 20.0 D). Twenty-four eyes were treated with PDT, 9 with PDT and anti-VEGF, and 26 eyes with anti-VEGF injections alone. The followup period was 21.5 months (range 6 months–6 years). The patients treated with anti-VEGF injections had a better final best-corrected visual acuity than PDT treated patients. No systemic side effects were noted. Conclusions: Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are an effective therapy for sub- and juxtafoveal myopic CNV.