Purpose: To evaluate the recurrence of polypoidal lesions after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods: This is a retrospective review of data on 28 patients with PCV treated with PDT. The recurrent polypoidal lesions were observed with fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography.
Results: In 26 of the 28 eyes the PCV remained inactive for more than 12 months after one to three treatments with PDT. Recurrence of the polypoidal lesions after more than a 12-month inactive period was reported in eight eyes: three at 15 months, two at 18 months, and three at 21 months. Kaplan-Meier estimates of recurrence were 11.5% at 15 months, 20.4% at 18 months, and 38.8% at 21 months, with no subsequent recurrence until passage of 36 months of inactivity after the last PDT. Additional PDT after recurrence improved or preserved visual acuity in 80% of those treated compared to the visual acuity before the first PDT.
Conclusions: Recurrence of PCV occurs in about 40% of eyes treated for PCV even after a long period of inactivity, so careful follow-up is needed.