[Results of treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation with photodynamic therapy].

PURPOSE To determine the effects of phothodynamic therapy using verteporfin in the treatment of patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and the incidence of this retinal disease in our area. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of 11 cases of RAP who were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin (PDT). RESULTS The incidence of RAP in the group of eyes with minimally classic or occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization was 8%. The mean follow-up time after treatment was 15 months. The visual acuity improved in 3, remained the same in 4, and decreased in 4. In 4 patients, angiomatous lesions were observed in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS There is no method proven to be effective for the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation. Our results suggest that PDT may be useful therapy in patients with RAP as it appeared to reduce the risk of visual loss.