Pegaptanib for myopic choroidal neovascularization in a young patient.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to myopic degeneration can include laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, corticosteroids, and subretinal surgery. We report a case of a young patient with myopic CNV refractive to laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treated with intravitreal pegaptanib injections.

METHODS

Interventional case report. The medical chart of a 36-year-old female treated with intravitreal pegaptanib injections was reviewed for changes in visual acuity on the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, CNV leakage on fluorescein angiography, and adverse events reported.

RESULTS

ETDRS visual acuity improved from counting fingers (CF) to 20/40 in the right eye after five, 6-weekly pegaptanib injections.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the sentinel case of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pegaptanib usage for non-wet macular degeneration via an Investigational New Drug application (Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations part 132). Pegaptanib appears to be effective in treating myopic CNV refractive to laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.