Ranibizumab versus photodynamic therapy for presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in the ranibizumab group received a monthly intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg of ranibizumab. Patients in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) group received a quarterly dosing of intravenous verteporfin coupled with PDT.

RESULTS: Mean change in ETDRS visual acuity at 1 year was 19.6 letters in the ranibizumab group versus 21 letters in the PDT group. All patients in the PDT group required rescue ranibizumab therapy. Four of five patients (80%) in the ranibizumab group and one of two patients (50%) in the PDT group showed a greater than 15 letter gain at 1 year.

CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for choroidal neovascularization secondary to the presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.