THE USE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN YOUNG-PATIENTS

Purpose To investigate the role of systemic corticosteroids in the tre atment of sight-threatening choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in pati ents with punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) and multifocal inner chor oiditis (MIC). Methods Twelve eyes of 10 patients with evidence of PIC or MIC with recent visual symptoms were identified. All eyes had CNV within the foveal avascular zone on fundus fluorescein angiography (FF A). Systemic oral prednisolone at an initial dose of 1 mg/kg (60-80 mg ) was given for 3-5 days and the dose was subsequently tapered. Change s in best corrected visual acuity and leakage on FFA were recorded dur ing follow-up. Systemic side-effects of the corticosteroids were monit ored. Results In 10 of 12 eyes vision improved or stabilised. Leakage on FFA resolved in 9 eyes and was reduced in 3. Four patients required more than one course of oral corticosteroids. One patient tvas mainta ined on low-dose oral corticosteroids for recurrent CNV activity. No s ystemic complications from the treatment were observed. Conclusion A c ourse of oral corticosteroids in healthy young patients with subfoveal CNV in PIC or MIC may reduce subretinal vascular leakage and stabilis e vision when no other proven treatment option is available.