Choroidal thickness outside the laser irradiation area after photodynamic therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE

To evaluate changes in choroidal thickness adjacent to the area of laser application after photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

METHODS

Masked observers measured the choroidal thickness at the subfovea and superior, inferior and temporal areas adjacent to the area of laser application before, 2 days, 1 week and 1 and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients with PCV treated with PDT with verteporfin were included. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 256 ± 115 μm at baseline to 207 ± 111 μm at 3 months; the mean outside choroidal thickness including the superior, inferior and temporal areas decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 240 ± 92 μm at baseline to 209 ± 86 μm at 3 months.

CONCLUSION

PDT affected not only the subfoveal choroid, but also the choroid outside the area of laser application in PCV.