Ranibizumab versus photodynamic therapy for presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the ranibizumab group received a monthly intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg of ranibizumab. Patients in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) group received a quarterly dosing of intravenous verteporfin coupled with PDT.

RESULTS

Mean change in ETDRS visual acuity at 1 year was 19.6 letters in the ranibizumab group versus 21 letters in the PDT group. All patients in the PDT group required rescue ranibizumab therapy. Four of five patients (80%) in the ranibizumab group and one of two patients (50%) in the PDT group showed a greater than 15 letter gain at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Ranibizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for choroidal neovascularization secondary to the presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.