Photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green for choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration – a preliminary report

Introduction
To evaluate the usefulness of indocyanine green in the photodynamic therapy (iPDT) of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Material and methods
Twelve patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD were treated with iPDT. Therapy was performed with 810 nm diode laser after intravenous injection of 25 mg solution of indocyanine green. Within 3 months follow-up two visits were performed with ICGA images evaluation, at each control.

Results
After therapy complete regression of the CNV was demonstrated by ICGA in 3 cases, partial regression was found in 5 patients, 3 revealed no changes and in one case the progression of the CNV was noted in spite of the treatment. Six patients presented increase in visual acuity, in 5 no changes were observed, and in one case a 2-line decrease in VA was detected by 3 months of follow-up.

Conclusions
Our preliminary study suggests that ICG mediated PDT can be a new and promising way, to treat neovascular AMD.