Two Cases of Photodynamic Therapy with Verteporfin in Patients with Corneal Neovascularization

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne(R), Novartis Ophthalmics AG, Hettingen, Switzerland) in the treatment of corneal neovascularization. METHODS: We performed photodynamic therapy on one eye with corneal neovascularization associated with lipid keratopathy, and on another eye with corneal neovascularization after corneal perforation. Verteporfin was administrated intravenously for 10 minutes at a dose of 6 mg/m2 of body surface area. Fifteen minutes after the start of administration, a 689 nm nonthermal laser light (Opal photoactivator, Coherent Inc., USA) was delivered directly over the neovascular network for 83 seconds with a spot size of 4000 micrometer. The patients were followed up at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: In both cases, new vessels were successfully occluded after the photodynamic therapy. No recanalization of new vessels was observed at last follow-up and no complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: PDT with verteporfin is considered to be a safe and effective procedure to regress corneal neovascularization.