Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to rubella retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient for whom photodynamic therapy was used to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to rubella retinopathy.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 36-year-old man with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to rubella retinopathy was treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Outcome was followed up with subsequent fundus examinations, fluorescein angiography, and evaluations of best-corrected visual acuity.

RESULTS

Two treatments of photodynamic therapy using verteporfin resulted in involution of the neovascular membrane, resolution of subretinal hemorrhage, and improvement in best-corrected visual acuity from 20/200 to 20/60 2 months after the second treatment. Owing to recurrence of active choroidal neovascularization, the patient required two more treatments of photodynamic therapy in the next 6 months, after which his best-corrected visual acuity was restored to 20/60.

CONCLUSION

Photodynamic therapy may be an effective treatment for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to rubella retinopathy.