TELANGIECTATIC CAPILLARIES CAUSING PERSISTENT DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BY PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY.

PURPOSE

To report two cases of persistent macular edema caused by the exudation of diabetic telangiectatic capillaries (TelCaps), which have been successfully treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

METHODS

Review of data from two patients suffering from persistent macular edema caused by parafoveolar TelCaps. In both cases, conventional laser was impossible because TelCaps were to close from foveal center.

RESULTS

The use of focal PDT on perifoveolar TelCaps permitted to reduce persistent macular edema and to avoid inefficient intravitreal anti-vascular epithelial growth factor or steroid injections. In both cases, visual acuity was fully restored four to six months after PDT. Central macular thickness was also normalized in the first case and significantly reduced in the second case. In both cases, visual gain was sustained throughout the whole follow-up period (2 and 1 year, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Photodynamic therapy can be helpful to treat diabetic macular edema caused by TelCaps nonresponding to approved intravitreal therapy or for which conventional laser is contraindicated.