Intravenous dihematoporphyrin ether could help reduce corneal neovascularization

Intravenous dihematoporphyrin ether use followed by photodynamic treatment in people with corneal neovascularization has potential, but the short-term adverse effects should not be discounted, according to a study.

John D. Sheppard, Jr., MD, and colleagues at the Eastern Virginia Medical School prospectively studied seven patients with clinically stable corneal neovascularization without active vessel progression or inflammation. Dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE) was administered as an intravenous bolus (2 mg/kg). Photodynamic therapy was administered 72 hours later, using argon green laser. Postop follow-up was at day 1, week 1, 6 months and up to 12 years postop.

All patients obtained an immediate reduction in measurable corneal vascularization. At 6 months follow-up, six patients maintained a significant reduction. During the follow-up period there were no other ocular changes attributable to laser treatment.

Three patients suffered significant short-term phototoxicity reactions, prompting the researchers to suggest further research on this treatment method is warranted.

The study is published in the March issue of American Journal of Ophthalmology.